Real Madrid and Dinamo have played only two friendlies

Real Madrid and Dinamo Zagreb will face today, in Maksimir, for the first time in their history in official competition. Never before had happened. But It will not be the first opportunity they will see the faces on the pitch. In the 70's, played two friendly matches in Spain.

The first of them was played in August 1970. It was the match for the third and fourth place in the Costa del Sol trophy, in Malaga. In the semifinals, both teams had fallen into the penalty shootout. The white set, with the Hungarian Vasas after drawing 1-1 in regulation time, and the Croatian team with Malaga after that there was no goal in the match. In the consolation final, Real Madrid defeated Dinamo 4-2 with goals by Pirri, Velázquez, Souk and Fleitas. According to the chronicles, the team, led at the time by Miguel Muñoz, made ​​a great show and its football reached moments of brilliance.

In September 1974, Madrid and Dinamo played the second of the matches whose object was none other than the presentation to the Madrid fans of Paul Breitner. The German player came that summer from Bayern Munich. The demand around the defender, who at the Bernabeu was converted into a midfielder, was highest. In his debut, did not have much luck. Real Madrid fell 3-4 against a Dinamo that surprised the white team. "I am not in good physical conditions. I have trained only a week and a half", German said after the game.

Paul Breitner playing for Real Madrid against Dinamo

German player: Title earned

It seems that the next Real Madrid signings will return to German origin denomination, although in their veins run Turkish blood of their families (in fact, both play with the Turkish national team). Sahin and Altintop, both born in the territory of Germany, will increase the German lineage in Real Madrid.

In recent years, Metzelder went unnoticed and Özil, by far, justified the fifteen million euros were paid to Werder Bremen for his signing. With his quality has managed to forget Guti and many people have considered that the usual absences of Kaka, due to injury, have been minimized thanks to a strong performance of German international. Do not forget that Özil arrived in Madrid after his stunning World Cup in South Africa.

The curious thing about this German "flow" is that Madrid went on to win at least one title in each season in which was reinforced by a German player. Netzer, a blonde who came in his last time as a player, opened the way for the Germans in the summer of 1973. Then came Breitner, the evergreen Stielike, Schuster (as talented as controversial), Illgner, the goalkeeper of the Seventh European Cup and Metzelder. With Özil and Khedira has remained the good luck and team has won the "Copa del Rey". With Sahin and Altintop, the list of Germans will be ten.

Özil and Khedira

Özil
Only 22 years old and in Sevilla played his 50th match with the Madrid, where is already the king of assists (22) ahead of Di Maria (19) and Cristiano (10). His left foot and great vision of play dazzle the fans. Just needs more physical, but he is a potential "crack".

Khedira
Just turned 24 years, this German with Tunisian father has earned the confidence of Mourinho, but not the Bernabeu fans. He came endorsed by the great World Cup and the Portuguese coach made ​​him a starter in the Spanish Cup final and the big games of the season ahead of Lass.

Metzelder
He came to Madrid as one of the most promising central defenders of Germany and could even play on the left side despite his height (1.94 m). But nothing to do with reality. He was hooking injury after another until play only 30 games in three seasons with the white team. Cristophe went Schalke as came, free.

Illgner
Capello got his way. Buyo, too short for his taste and Canizares, with little experience, were not worth. He arrived at the age of 29, with a reputation for sober and with a very attractive wife who was also his manager. In Madrid won a League title, two European Cups and one Intercontinental. And while, appeared a young man called to make history: Iker Casillas.

Schuster
He could read the game in the field and then execute a plan with great precision. Mendoza took advantage of a crisis of German player at Barcelona after eight years there, to sign him and stir the controversy between the teams. Two seasons later went on to Atletico.

Stielike
Sacrifice and power in midfield. Madrid was coming off one of its worst seasons (76-77): ninth in the League, eliminated in the second round of the Champions League and in third round of the Spanish Cup. Bernabéu decided to turn with Wolf, Juanito and Stielike and the team resurfaced. He raised four League titles, two Spanish Cups and one UEFA Cup. He was signed to replace Breitner.

Breitner
He was the Santiago Bernabeu's response to the emergence of Cruyff at Barcelona. Bernabeu asked his staff what German player they liked more in World Cup 74 and signed Breitner. Madrid won the League and the Spanish Cup in his fierst season. Breitner was an "industrial" midfielder.

Netzer
Bernabéu fell in love with his cerebral play at Euro 1972. He "jumped" to Madrid from Moenchengladbach, which also exported Simonsen Jensen and Stielike to Spain. With 28 years became the first German to play in the Spanish league. He won the Spanish Cup in his first year in white.

Real Madrid: Ten precedents to dream about the comeback

Real Madrid has in its history ten previous matches in which has won by two goals or more against Barcelona in its own stadium. In the Camp Nou (seven times between 1958 and 2002) and Les Corts (three times between 1930 and 1942). There are ten games with which the Real Madrid can dream about the comeback of Mourinho's team. Of these ten wins, four were by 0-2, a result that would allow Real Madrid to go into overtime. With the score of the other six wins, white team would qualify for the Champions League final at Wembley.

UEFA Champions League 2002. Zidane's goal against FC Barcelona

April 23, 2002 it is the closest precedent, also in the Champions League semifinals. In this case, first leg was played at Camp Nou, where Madrid won 0-2 with goals by Zidane and McManaman. The previous precedent was 31 years ago. Team was coached by Boskov and won with goals from García Hernández and Santillana. A great defense with the work of Garcia Remon, San Jose, Pirri, Camacho, Benito, and Del Bosque allowed whites stay unbeaten.

The biggest away win was on January 27, 1963 (1-5) in a Spanish League match, with goals from Di Stefano, Gento and Puskas (hat-trick). Although three years before Real Madrid managed to get five goals in Barcelona (3-5), with goals from Del Sol, DiStefano (2) and Gento (2).

Real Madrid have managed to score 31 goals in Barcelona in ten games to get an advantage equal to or greater than two goals. The top scorer in this series of triumphs of the white team in Barcelona is Puskas, with six goals, followed by Gento (5), DiStefano (3), Del Sol, Alday and Rubio (2), and Garcia Hernandez, Rial, Marsal, Lazcanoand Lopez (1). Especially in the 60's, the Real Madrid showed its superiority in the Camp Nou winning three consecutive years between 1960 and 1963 (3-5, 0-2 and 1-5).

European Cup 1960: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

On Wednesday April 21 marked 51st anniversary of the first playoff in the European Cup between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It was also in the semifinals, also the first game at the Bernabeu Stadium and the second at the Camp Nou. It was long ago. But at that time a Rea Madrid vs Barcelona was more than just a football match.

On April 21, 1960, Madrid hosted the first leg semifinal between the four-time European champion, Real Madrid, and the Spanish champion, Barcelona, with Helenio Herrera, Ramallets, Kocsis and Evaristo. The white club lived the first great age (and best) of its history, but opposite was a Barcelona that snatched the league this season and the previous one, getting the right to play the top European competition.

European Cup 1960. Di Stefano celebrates a goal against Barcelona

Times were different. In fact, Spain was the only country with two representatives in the tournament and Barcelona made ​​its debut this season in the European Cup, which had set up four years earlier. The Catalan club won the League on the last day (both finished tied on 46 points, but Barceona had better numbers of goals). Europe was the scene of Real Madrid's revenge).

Because in Europe there was not so much equality as in the League. Real Madrid won 6-2 on aggregate, with respective 3-1 victories in both the first leg and on the return. In the first match played in Madrid, a second goal by Di Stefano gave his team a comfortable income in the final minutes. In turn, played on April 27 in Barcelona, there was no option for Barcelona. Gento and Puskas (two goals) led Real to its fifth final, the legendary Hampden Parkmatch against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Puskas, genius Magyars, scored against the Germans four goals more to reach the figure of 49, adding all competitions. A record that Leo Messi overtook on Saturday, scoring the second goal in Barcelona's win over Osasuna. But Messi has taken three games more than the great "Pancho" Puskas.

Four Real Madrid vs Barcelona... in 1916

In the coming days await four "Classic", but it is not the first time something like that happens. Moreover, the origin of the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona lies precisely in four legendary matches that both clubs played in the Spanish Cup in 1916. Three of them were held in April, as is the case on this occasion. Until then, there was no a very large antagonism between them. They do not even occupy the highest place in the rankings, a place that, until the Civil War, was owned by Athletic de Bilbao.

Real Madrid 1916

Spanish Cup semi-final in 1916 faced Barcelona and Real Madrid, the leading candidates to unseat the champion, Athletic de Bilbao. In Barcelona, ​​the Catalans won the match by 2-1, but in the second leg, white team beat 4-1.According to the regulations of the time, there was not goal difference, so a third match had to be played. And so began a rivalry that if it dies, it's because football is also dead.

At that time, the teams were amateurs and had to cut costs, so that the third meeting was held two days after the previous, also in Madrid. The tiredness of the players favored for fans to enjoy an epic match and insurmountable emotion: Match needed an extension that did not solve anything, because the final scorewas a draw 6-6, a scoreboard, contrary to popular belief , so unusual at the time such as now. The regulation time ended 4-4, after several ups and downs in the score. In overtime, Real Madrid scored first, but Barcelona managed to get ahead with two goals. However, three minutes from time, Santiago Bernabeu scored a penalty. It was the third penalty the whites throwing in the match, one of whom had been failed by the future president.

The fourth and final match was held the next day, a football marathon unparalleled today. Bernabéu missed a penalty just before the final and could not prevent the draw 2-2 before the ninety minutes. In the extension, the Real Madrid scored twice, but the Catalans felt that the second goal had been achieved in an offside position and they left the field with seven minutes to play, so the locals were classified for final they would lose against the great Athletic Bilbao (4-0).

Thus began a long series of mutual recriminations by favoritism arbitration, which has resonant episodes in the Spanish Cup, and later in the League and European Cup. Those pioneers did not know, but had begun the fiercest rivalry in the history of Spanish football.

History: Real Madrid Uniform

The article number 18 of the original statutes of the Real Madrid Football Club stated that "the regulation uniform will be, for regular matches; Dark trouser, short and straight, white jersey and dark socks. And for special matches will be trouser and jersey white, black socks with loops and belt in the national colors". Finally, the second option was elected for all matches. Until then, players wore clothes, consisting of trousers and shirts white. The teams were differentiated through cross-bands on the chest with colors red and blue, the same used by "Basque pelota" players, which however came off easily. The Real Madrid, as the oldest club in Madrid, chose to dress entirely in white, something that 109 years later remains.

Real Madrid: First Uniform (1902)

Throughout history, the Madrid team has always had the white jersey in his first kit (the second began to be always the same since 1952). However, there was a time in which the color of the jersey and trousers did not match. It was in 1925-26 season, and the initiative of the players Ecobal and Quesada. Both were traveling in England and were set in London Corinthians dress, one of the most famous teams of the moment. English team was known by elegance and sportsmanship in the game. In an attempt to look like the English, was decided that the team dressed in black trousers, but the change would last only one season. After falling in the semifinals of the Spanish Cup against Barcelona when they lost by 1-5 ​​in Madrid and 2-0 in Barcelona, President Parages decided to return to pure white after accusing the kits to give bad luck. Years later another England team, Leeds United, changed its blue shirt to the white after the final in which Real Madrid won Eintracht Frankfurt by 7-3 at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Real Madrid: Black trousers (1925)

Until 1952 not began to be used, on a regular way, the same second kit. Real Madrid, until then, used to wear jerseys in different shades of blue and white or dark blue trousers. From the moment the second jersey became common, Madrid team has used many different models. Primarily, the suits have been blue or purple, but other colors such as black (team played and won the final of the European Cup in 2000) and even red. 

Real Madrid wore an all red uniform in three European competition matches during the 70's. The first was on March 10, 1971 in the quarter-finals of the 1970-1971 European Cup Winners Cup against Cardiff City Football Club. The macth ended with defeat 1-0. The second time was on April 14 in that year in the semifinals of the same competition against PSV Eindhoven. The result was a tie 0-0. The third and last time that Real Madrid dressed in red, but this time with white socks, was on March 7, 1973 in the quarter-finals of the 1972-1973 European Cup against Dynamo Kiev in Odessa, finishing the game with a tied result 0-0, thanks to the great performance of goalkeeper Mariano Garcia Remon.

Real Madrid: Red Kit (1973)

The real revolution in football jerseys, arrived in the 80's. At that time, players begin to use models in short sleeves for summer, in addition to joining the brands and sponsors, which would become an important source of income for clubs. In addition, cotton jerseys give way to synthetic fabrics searching greater comfort for the player. Evolution has not stopped and now the jerseys are made of new materials that are breathable and favor the player comfort.

Real Madrid: Adidas (1981)

In 1997 teams began to have also a third kit marked by innovative models. Thus, in 2001 the team used a curious gray shirt, while in 1997 showed a shirt divided in four and in which the white was combined with the purple. Moreover, in recent years have added little memorials details in every season. The shield of the best team of twenty-first century, the logo of the 50th anniversary of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the nine European Cups... Small details for a jersey with a great story.

Tottenham vs Real Madrid (1985): Amancio's scar

Like now, with the League almost lost, Real Madrid went to White Hart Lane on March 6, 1985, to contest the quarter-finals of the former UEFA Cup. The scoreboard: 0-1. Tottenham ahead of him, defending champion of the tournament. The same opponent with which will face today.

Real Madrid made the historic comeback against Anderlecht few days ago, but on "Buitre's gang" weighed the label "soft generation" that never came off. Amancio was the coach of Madrid and at White Hart Lane starred in a story that still remembers Ochotorena, goalkeeper of the team that began to emerg: "Before taking the field, Amancio showed us the scars of the severe innjury he suffered as player. He had done in a game we played with Castilla (Real Madrid B) in "Los Cármenes" Stadium (Granada), the same stadium where he was injured".

"Amancio could boast of a great curriculum as a player... and scars", recalls Angel, Madrid midfielder in those mid-eighties. Amancio, who claims not to remember the story, tried by his gesture that his younger players do not wrinkle in a complicated stadium that would test the competitiveness of the new generation trying to break through. His words after the game pointed to the epic: "When you talk on the field, when you struggle and fight, you have to win". The team played well. They spoke and help each other. In the previous, Amancio had been very critical of his players: "I want they think in football half than me". The phrase was a flurry to some of his players that attend the university, especially those of the "Quinta del Buitre".

Tottenham vs Real Madrid (1985)

When that confrontation was played, English football was in full continental hegemony, winning all and it was anticipated like a sharp match. Nobody wanted to cross with those teams that had a feverish pace, that mixed direct and contact soccer with the ability of the three or four more technical players. "Hoddle was its star. He was left handed and very technical. At that time were not frowned upon the individual markings and Amancio ordered me to pursue him. They made ​​a very direct football and vigorous. There was no cover to the forwards. There was to players who caused the goals assistances, like Hoddle who had a great left foot", says Angel.

In the days before the first leg, Valdano, who played without shin guards, had told his friend Ardiles, Tottenham player, that this time he would play with protections. "Finally, Ardiles did not play either game, but somehow he was one of the first players that began to change over to English football". Ardiles was very light and his presence in a very physical football raised doubts at first. "Although not involved, flew to Madrid for the second leg and said that he was able to win a ball in the air against Santillana. He touched his head and explained that football lives there".

In 1985, the Spurs had won some fame as innovator. It was the first European football institution listed in stock exchange and tried to distance themselves from the traditional kick and rush with the recruitment Ardiles and Villa. Real Madrid was also surprised by a detail when team left the stadium. "Suddenly we saw a beautiful white Rolls Royce. We were told that it was Rod Stewart's car. He had a private box because he was a big fan of Tottenham.in Spain the boxes appeared late" concludes Angel .

History: 2001-2010

It is the decade of the "Ninth", Figo, Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo. From the hand of Florentino Perez, the world's top players gathered to form one of the most spectacular teams in history, who won the European Cup and Intercontinental Cup in the centenary year. He was also the decade of major changes in infrastructure, with the conclusion of the Bernabéu Stadium and the construction of the Sports City.

Twenty-eighth league title

On May 26, 2001 Real Madrid wins its twenty-eighth league title after beating Alaves in a packed Bernabeu (5-0). After the meeting, about 500,000 fans took to the streets of Madrid with Cibeles as main focus of meeting, to celebrate a title that the team had not won for four seasons. The summer of that year Zinedine Zidane is dressed in white.

The centenary

To celebrate the centenary of the Club, numerous events and celebrations were organized , but undoubtedly the most important was the organization of the Spanish Cup Final in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. On March 6, 2002, Real Madrid's 100th birthday. The Real Madrid live a day of intense emotions, even though the team can not win the Spanish Cup, whose final is held that day at the white home. Deportivo La Coruña win (1-2).

Real Madrid's Centenary Stamp

Ninth European Cup

The centenary year, Real Madrid won Europe's top competition for the ninth time in its history, the second at Hampden Park in Glasgow, a legendary stadium for the club, beating the German Bayer Leverkusen 1-2, with Raul and Zidane goals. This final will be remembered for its symbolism, as it put the best possible culmination of the Centenary season, but also by the extraordinary beauty of the goal scored by Zinedine Zidane. Two memories for framing in a historic year for Madrid.

9th European Cup

European Super Cup

In August, the Real Madrid won in Monaco the only major title missing in the show windows of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the European Super Cup.The Whites won 3-1 in the final of Monaco to the Dutch club Feyenoord, thanks to the great match of Roberto Carlos who scored a goal and an assist in the first of the match. Finally, the European Super Cup traveled to Madrid.

Intercontinental Cup

The year closed with Real Madrid winning in Yokohama (Japan) his third Intercontinental Cup. This time, the opponent is the Olimpia Asuncion (Paraguay), champion of the Copa Libertadores 2002, which was defeated 2-0. Real Madrid completed the trio of international titles to close a big 2002. The 100 th birthday year.

Valdebebas Sports City

On May 12, 2004 works began on the future Real Madrid’s Sports City. Today is a modern training center, where the first-division team and all the youth teams work comfortably. It also has the Alfredo DiStefano Stadium where Real Madrid B (Castilla) plays its home games.

Two leagues

In the 2006-07 season, Real Madrid get the league title, a victory that began to take shape on March 18, 2007, after the important match against Barcelona (3-3), what transformed the team. In the last 12 matches, the Real Madrid won ten games, had a draw and only lost with Racing. On June 17, 2007, with victory against Mallorca (3-1), Real Madrid was proclaimed league champion.

The Real Madrid began the 2007-08 season with a new project, with the coach Bernd Schuster and some new players. From the first date, Real Madrid had made clear its commitment to the title. In the second, in a match played against Villarreal (0-5), Schuster's team took the lead, a position that team did not lost all season.

The eighth Spanish Super Cup

After winning for the second consecutive time the League title, Real Madrid won the Super Cup against Valencia. The first leg at Mestalla Stadium came across an adverse result despite being a great night of goals. Valencia won 3-2, but it was not all decided. The white fans not fail and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium dressed up for a return match what will go down in history. Real Madrid won 4-2 scoring its final two goals with 9 players on the field.

Florentino Pérez begins second term as President

After 3 years of absence, Florentino Perez returned to the presidency of Real Madrid on 1 June 2009 during an election campaign in which he ran unopposed. The Florentino Perez candidacy brought about a sense of optimism that helped raise spirits after experiencing the dominance displayed by Barcelona.

History: 1991-2000

This was the decade in which the Club won its seventh and eight European Cups. Real Madrid sat on the European throne once more at the end of the 1990s, which had an uneasy first half for the Whites with two League titles lost against Tenerife.

Mendoza advances elections

Although he still had a full year on his ticket, then President Ramón Mendoza advanced the Presidential elections to 14 April 1991. Opposite him was writer Alfonso Ussía, whose results were more than honourable in spite of his diminished resources. The electoral success won Mendoza another four years in the Presidential chair.

Tenerife, the “cursed island”

The decade began with two sports sledgehammer, both in Tenerife, where Real Madrid lost on the last day two league titles. It was a blow to the Real Madrid, lost both titles as the way in which they occurred on both occasions.

The year 1993 closes with two titles for white cabinets. In June, the seventeenth Cup win in Spain by winning the final to Real Zaragoza 2-0 with goals from Emilio Butragueño and Mikel Lasa. And closing the year, is held at the Nou Camp the second leg of the Spanish Supercup where Real Madrid tie with Barcelona (1-1) and win this title. The first match played in Madrid in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on December 2, the team won 3-1.

Valdano returns to coach the team

After snatching two League titles from Real Madrid and eliminating them from the King's Cup in his capacity as coach of Tenerife, Jorge Valdano signed a coaching agreement with Real Madrid set on putting the Whites back on the road to success and terminate the 4-year Liga title drought. The Argentine did just that in his first season at his former team and all Real Madrid fans got to sing along to the victory chant at the end of the season.

Sanz relieves Mendoza in Club Presidency

After ten and a half years in office, Ramón Mendoza handed in his irrevocable resignation on 20 November 1995. He was relieved by Lorenzo Sanz, who held recourse to Club by-law 49 to get elected as heir to Mendoza by the 11 directors who continued in the Board of Directors following the transfer of power.

Capello makes his debut with Real Madrid

On 20 May 1996, Lorenzo Sanz presented Fabio Capello as new head coach of Real Madrid. The Italian trainer landed in Madrid borne out by his five successful seasons with AC Milan, with whom he won the 1994 European Cup. Although Capello only stayed with the team during the 1996-97 season, he managed to win the League.

Seventh European Cup

After a less than impressive domestic run, coach Jupp Heynckes led the team to win the very much awaited -last one was in 1966, 32 years earlier- European Cup. The venue: Amsterdam Arena. Date: 20 May 1998. The Merengues conquered their seventh top European trophy with a goal by Pedja Mijatovic against the Italian side of Juventus, who were the hot favourites that night.

Second Intercontinental Cup

Guus Hiddink was the manager in charge of guiding Real Madrid to their second Intercontinental Cup after the surprising resignation of Juan Antonio Camacho in July 1998, before the season even began. An extraordinary goal by Raúl in Tokyo sealed the more than fair 2-1 end result for the Whites.

Eighth European Cup & First Spanish Final

Vicente del Bosque took over John Benjamin Toshack as head coach of Real Madrid in mid-season and spearheaded the Madridistas towards raising their eighth European Cup -second Champions League title. The venue was superb: the newly built Saint-Denis stadium of Paris would host the first ever Spanish final -as well as the first ever final of the European Cup between two teams of the same country- on 24 May 2000. It was a vibrant game which saw Madrid triumph over Valencia with a final 3-0 result. It was the last European Cup of the 20th Century and, as the first one, it belonged to the Whites.

Florentino Pérez wins the elections

On 16 July 2000, Florentino Pérez was elected new President of Real Madrid after defeating Lorenzo Sanz in the polls. Pérez's successful campaign was based on two pillars: get rid, for once and for all, of the historical Club debt and sign the best players in the world.

Best Club 20th Century

In a meeting held in Rome in 2000, FIFA decided to name the entity the Best Club of the 20th Century or, by all accounts, the best Club in the history of football. Florentino Pérez and Honourary Club President Alfredo di Stéfano received the accolade honouring.

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History: 1981-1990

The emergence of the "Quinta del Buitre" is the most notable of the decade, in which a group of young players from the Castilla (second team) became the watchword of Real Madrid, with five consecutive league titles. Other notable events are the historic comebacks. Magical nights at the Bernabeu today persist in the minds of the Madrid fans.

One minute spells the difference between glory and failure

The 1980/81 season had an unpleasant finish for Madrid. On 26 April 1981, they lost the League when the victory chant was already being sung in Valladolid. Real Sociedad, who drew (2-2) against Sporting in the last minute at El Molinón claimed the title. Barely one month later, on 27 May, an Alan Kennedy goal (82nd minute) gave Liverpool the European Cup, when overtime was the only fair option.

The Bernabéu host the 1982 World Cup final

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was remodeled for the Spain World Cup 1982.On 11 February of that year were released the scoreboards, being the first club in the world which puts them in his stadium. This is the culmination of a renovation designed to receive The final of the 1982 World Cup. In a thrilling match, Italy outplayed Germany and won 3-1. What most spectators will remember most from that 11 July 1982 was the joy that overcame Sandro Pertini, President if Italy, each time the Italian side scored.

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu 1982

Di Stéfano returns to the club

With the Presidential elections on the horizon, candidate Luis de Carlos introduced Alfredo di Stéfano and Amancio Amaro as coaches of the first team and Castilla on 19 May 1982. The Arrow left Madrid in 1964 and returned to the Club 18 years later. De Carlos defeated Ramón Mendoza in the election and Di Stéfano, who signed on for two years, won five runners-up titles in his first year as the Madridista coach.

Born the germ of the "Quinta del Buitre"

On December 4, 1983 is the date of "birth" of the "Quinta del Buitre". Alfredo Di Stefano start using Castilla players. That day in Murcia debut Martín Vázquez and Sanchis. Manolo Sanchis scored the winning goal. And two months later, Emilio Butragueño, top scorer in Division II and disclosure championship, debut in Cadiz with the first team. His debut will be a harbinger of things to come: scores two goals in the second half and his team get the victory. A new myth was born at Real Madrid. In the preseason of 1984, Amancio completes the work begun by Alfredo Di Stefano and places Míchel in the first team. Mean the beginning of a new and successful era for the institution.

Real Madrid Castilla 1983-84

Butragueño, Pardeza, Martín Vázquez, Michel and Sanchís

The Arrow's second farewell

Once the 1983/84 season had ended, Alfredo di Stéfano again said goodbye to Real Madrid. Twenty-one years later he went through the same experience. His contract ended on 30 June 1984 and Luis de Carlos decided not to resign him due to the failure to achieve sporting success.

Historic downpour of goals against Anderlecht

On 12 December 1984, Emilio Butragueño became a European household name with an unforgettable performance against Anderlecht at the Bernabéu. The Belgians were coming off a 3-0 first leg win in Brussels and had the next round of the UEFA Cup in sight, but Butragueño crushed all their hopes with three goals (the other three were scored by Valdano, two, and Sanchís) and Real Madrid won convincingly 6-1.

Back-to-back UEFA Cup champions

Real Madrid's first two UEFA Cup titles were won back-to-back. The first in 1984 against Hungary's Videoton (3-0 at Sosto Stadium and 0-1 in Chamartín), and the second one year later after defeating FC Köln 5-1 at the Bernabéu and losing 2-0 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Five years of fantasy and dominance

The Real Madrid of the Quinta del Buitre won five consecutive Leagues with extraordinary authority (1985/86 to 1989/90) and equalled the record achieved between 1960/61 and 1964/65. During the fifth League, Madrid set a new record by scoring 107 goals in 38 matches. The years belonged to Butragueño's fantasy and the dominance of Hugo Sánchez, who won the Golden Boot along with CSKA Sofia's Hristo Stoitchkov.

Disappointment in the European Cup

On 20 April 1988, the team returns to close to European glory. After leaving in the lurch great teams like Naples, Porto and Bayern, Real Madrid fell in the semifinals against PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch team will win the European Cup.

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History: 1971-1980

Santiago Bernabéu died in the 1970s. Before his death, Miguel Muñoz left the team after coaching it for 14 years. The Club's 75th Anniversary celebration didn't receive much support. The decade saw Real Madrid play against Castilla in the final of the Spanish Championship as well as a transitional period that followed Bernabéu's death.

UEFA Cup Winner's Cup finalists

Real Madrid made their debut in the no longer existent UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in the 1970/71 season. They reached the final against Chelsea by defeating Hibernians, Wacker Innsbruck, Cardiff City and PSV Eindhoven. Both sides had to play the game twice at the Greek Karaikiris Stadium because the first match -held on 19 May 1971- ended in a 1-1 draw and neither team was capable of scoring the winning goal during overtime. The second clash took place two days later and Chelsea won 2-1.

Miguel Muñoz's great period ends

Miguel Muñoz became coach of Real Madrid in 1960 when Fleitas Solich left. He ended up winning nine leagues, two Cups of Spain two European Cups and one Intercontinental Cup in 14 seasons. On 15 January 1974, Santiago Bernabéu ended Muñoz's period "because he had been suffering for too long". Luis Molowny, a man from the Club, replaced a living legendOn June 29, 1974, the Cup final put the end to the season. Real won a resounding 4-0 victory against Barcelona.

Real Madrid look to the Balkans

After the 1974/75 season, Luis Molowny was replaced by the Yugoslavian Miljan Miljanic. He signed on 5 July 1974 and from then onwards the team played an unattractive game based on physical efforts and tactical order. This system earned the team two Leagues and one Cup of Spain in three seasons. Another Yugoslavian, Vujadin Boskov, took the reins of the team in 1979. He coached them until half way through the 1981/82 season. He won the League and the King's Cup in his first year as coach.

Prelude to the Great Recoveries

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium lived one of its most glorious nights on 5 November 1975. Real Madrid recovered from a 4-1 defeat in the first leg of the Last 16 round of the European Cup against Derby County. At the end of the second leg, the result was 4-1 for the Whites, which forced both teams to play overtime. Santillana scored the winning goal; this was the prelude to Real Madrid's Great Recoveries.

No support for the 75th Anniversary Celebrations

In the spring of 1977 are disclosed the events to mark the LXXV anniversary of Real Madrid. Big celebrations and tributes were preparing for this historic event, the 75 year life of Real Madrid. But The anniversary celebrations had little support from the fans because of the team's bad results and Bernabéu's retirement to Santa Pola due to ill health. A few days later, on April 29, signing for Real Madrid the German Ulrich Stielike, which will be added days after Juan Gómez "Juanito". Two different players, two different concepts to understand the game, two great idols for white fans.

Santiago Bernabéu dies

Day of mourning for world football. Santiago Bernabéu died. President of Real Madrid during the last 35 years and a man who was linked to the Club since the first decade of the century. On June 2, 1978, when the World Cup was disputed in Argentina, Santiago Bernabéu died in Madrid. FIFA decreed three days of mourning in that World Cup and decided to observe a minute of silence in his memory, something unheard of until then. It was the mark of respect to all considered as the grand old man of world football. The death of Santiago Bernabéu was a true manifestation of pain and sorrow.

Santiago Bernabéu

Luis de Carlos takes office as President

After a brief period as interim President, Raimundo Saporta called for elections. The Club's treasurer, Luis de Carlos, resigned in order to run for President. 26 July 1978 was the deadline for candidates to apply in order to run for office. De Carlos submitted 3,352 documents endorsing his candidacy, while the rest -gynaecologist Campos Gil and florist José Daguerre- didn't get the minimum number required in time. This called off the election and Luis de Carlos was proclaimed President of Real Madrid.

Santiago Bernabéu Trophy

On August 31, 1979, a year after the death of Don Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid wanted to honor the memory of legendary president. Club created a trophy in his honor where they faced the best teams and players in the world. The first champion was the Bayern Munich. Won the final to Ajax Amsterdam, 2-0. Four European champions, Milan, Bayern, Ajax and Real Madrid, met in this first edition.

The Whitest Cup final

On 4 June 1980, the Santiago Bernabéu hosted the Cup final between Real Madrid and Castilla, the Club's second team, created on 21 July 1972. Castilla managed to defeat four First Division teams -Hércules, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Sporting Gijon- to get to the final of the Spanish Championship. Real Madrid defeated Castilla -coached by the sorely missed Juanjo- 6-1.

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History: 1961-1970

A glorious cycle was drawing to an end after two defeats in two different European Cup finals against Benfica and Inter Milan, respectively. The decline of the players that had thrilled the whole of Europe ended with their departure from the Club. Miguel Muñoz's generational reshuffle was eventually successful. The so called "Ye-Yés” regained the European crown by winning the Club's sixth European Cup.

Madricide against Barcelona

Real Madrid were eliminated from the European Cup for the first time in November 1960 against Barcelona. English referees Ellis and Leafe played a big role in the Madridista defeat. The former allowed an unfair penalty to Barcelona at the Bernabéu and the match eventually ended with a 2-2 score. The latter disallowed four Real Madrid goals at the Camp Nou and Barcelona won 2-1. The international press heavily criticised Ellis and Leafe's performance and coined the term Madricide to describe Real Madrid's unjust elimination.

Barcelona get thrashed eleven days later

Real Madrid took revenge from their defeat against Barcelona a few days later by defeating the Catalans 5-3 at the Camp Nou on 4 December. The Real Madrid remained the king of Spanish football. Titles, in this decade, fell in the showcase of Real Madrid, despite the great figures (Rial, Di Stefano, Puskas, Santamaria ...) were leaving the club at different times. Had to renew the equipment and Miguel Muñoz injected new life into the team, primarily with young Spanish players. On March 12, 1961, the team wins a league in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Until that day, no Spanish team had made so many records in the league. Won twenty-four of thirty games played, taking the title with five days in advance. Puskas was the top scorer with 27 goals. With this victory, the Madrid won the trophy property.

Defeat in Europe

The big disappointment came in the European Cup. The date of May 2, 1962 saw the Benfica wins in the Cup final in which all adverse circumstances are allied against Real Madrid. It was one of the most bitter days for society. Bad luck haunted whites over 90 minutes. Bitterness is mitigated by achieving a historic double in football homeland. On July 8, 1962, team defeated Sevilla in the spanish cup final 2-1.

The new sports city

On 18 May 1963, the Real Madrid sports city was opened, located on “Avenida de la Castellana”. The sports complex will glorify the heritage of the Club and host future values of the base teams.

Di Stéfano kidnapped for three days

Alfredo Di Stéfano was kidnapped at the Potomac Hotel in Caracas, where Real Madrid were staying during the World Club Championship. He was taken away the night of the 21 August 1963 by the Libebration Front of Venezuela. "I thought they were going to kill me," wrote the player in his autobiography "Gracias, Vieja". The kidnapping had great impact and his captors got the publicity they wanted. Di Stéfano was freed three days later.

Di Stéfano's bitter farewell

On 27 June 1964, Alfredo Di Stéfano played his last official match as a Real Madrid man at Vienna's Prater Stadium against Inter Milan in the ninth European Cup final, which the Italian side won 3-1. Di Stéfano had a confrontation with coach Miguel Muñoz and Santiago Bernabéu took the latter's side. The President offered the player to stay at the Club to do other jobs, but he refused and signed for Español.

Five consecutive League titles... Again

Real Madrid are the only team to have won the League five consecutive times twice in the spanish competition. The first time they achieved this was between the 1960/61 and 1964-65 seasons and they repeated the feat between the 1985-86 and 1989-90 seasons. No other Spanish team has been able to break this record.

The "Ye-Yés" crown themselves as European champions

Miguel Muñoz's generational reshuffle of the team in 1964 was successful two years later. On 11 May 1966, Real Madrid won their sixth European Cup title at Brussel's Heysel Stadium against Partizan Belgrade, whom they defeated 2-1. This was the "Ye-Ye" team. "Ye-Ye" was how youngsters were called in Spain in the Sixties, especially those who looked like the Beatles. The team back then was formed by Araquistain; Pachín, De Felipe, Sanchís; Pirri, Zoco; Serena, Amancio, Grosso, Velázquez and Gento.

Closing decade

In the last years of the decade, the team continues its course in the Spanish championship, winning three league titles in seasons 1966-67, 1967-68 and 1968-69, in addition to winning spanish cup in 1970 after beating Valencia at the Nou Camp, 3-1.

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History: 1951-1960

Real Madrid turned legend into myth in the 1950s. The Club celebrated its 50 year anniversary and signed Di Stéfano during this magnificent decade. The arrival of the Argentine player was an inflexion point for the Whites. The team won their first League in 21 years and Bernabéu and Saporta played key roles in the establishment of the European Cup, which Real Madrid won five years in a row. The crowning moment to the decade was the Whites' victory in the first Intercontinental Cup.

On March 6, 1952 will mark the Golden Jubilee of Real Madrid. On this occasion were organized various events, including an international tournament. The Millionaires, most representative team in the American continent, is awarded the trophy. In its ranks, a man dazzles the fans white: Alfredo di Stefano. On 28 June this year, the Madrid began a tour of Latin America. After two games in Colombia, go to Venezuela to compete in the Small World Cup in the round robin mode. Despite the high level of rivals, Ipiña team is awarded the tournament deservedly.

The soap opera that was Di Stéfano's signing

Alfredo Di Stéfano met Santiago Bernabéu in March 1952 during the anniversary celebrations and his signing for the Club resembled a soap opera in which Santiago Bernabéu, Raimundo Saporta, Enrique Martí, Barcelona President and Technical Secretary José Samitier, Millonarios President Alfonso Senior, River Plate President Enrique Pardo and Spanish FA Board Member Armando Muñoz Calero played leading roles. Bernabéu's strategy and Martí's mistakes made Di Stéfano sign for Real Madrid.

Alfredo Di Stefano

Di Stéfano's hectic debut

On 23 September 1953, Alfredo Di Stéfano, his wife and daughters arrived in Madrid from Barcelona at 10:30 am. As soon as he entered Madrid's Atocha Railway Station, the player went to the Club, passed his medical exam, had lunch, left his family at the Emperatriz Hotel, met his new teammates in the dressing room and played his first game at 3:30 pm. It was a friendly game against Nancy the Whites won by 4-2. Di Stéfano scored his first goal as a Real Madrid player on the 67-minute mark.

Third League title, 23 years later

The first consequence of Alfredo di Stéfano's signing was winning the 1953/54 League. The Club hadn't won the title since the 1932/33 season and euphoria spread throughout Madridismo. Twenty-one years later, fans could sing the victory chant again thanks to coach Enrique Fernández.

Chamartín Stadium is renamed as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

In the 4 January 1955 General Assembly, Messrs. Zapater and Caso proposed changing the name of the stadium to Santiago Bernabéu. The proposal was approved and the President reluctantly accepted this honour as it was the will of the Club's voting members.

Driving force behind the creation of the European Cup

Santiago Bernabéu was one of the people to enthusiastically embrace the proposal of Gabriel Hanot -Chief Editor of L'Equipe- of creating a European tournament to determine which was the best team in the continent. On 2 April 1955, representatives of the most prestigious football clubs in Europe heeded the call of L'Equipe Director Jacques Goddet and met at the Ambassador Hotel in Paris. Bernabéu's leadership skills amazed everyone at the meeting.

The European legend starts in Geneva

Real Madrid made their European Cup debut in the competition's first edition on 8 September 1955 in Geneva against Servette. They won 2-0 thanks to goals by Muñoz and Rial. The Madrid expedition was greeted the day prior to the match in Lausanne by Queen Victoria Eugenia, Don Juan and Don Juan Carlos -currently Juan Carlos I, King of Spain.

First European champions

After eliminating Servette and complicated sides like Partizan Belgrade and Milan, Real Madrid defeated Stade Reims in the Paris final 4-3, coming back from a 2-0 score in favour of the French side. The trophy was a 23.2 kg, 66 cm tall amphora. The 13 June 1956 victors were: Juan Alonso; Atienza, Marquitos, Lesmes; Muñoz, Zárraga; Joseíto, Marsal, Di Stéfano, Rial and Gento.

Two-time European Champion at the Bernabéu

On 30 May 1957, 125,000 fans witnessed how Real Madrid were crowned European champions for the second time running at the Santiago Bernabéu after defeating Fiorentina. The Italian side's catenaccio was responsible for the 0-0 score at the end of the first half. The draw was kept on the score until the 70-minute mark, when Di Stéfano scored from a penalty that came from a tackle on Mateos. Six minutes later, Gento netted a spectacular lob that went over keeper Sarti and Real Madrid eventually won the match 2-0. Real Madrid's starting line-up was as follows: Juan Alonso; Torres, Marquitos, Lesmes; Muñoz, Zárraga; Kopa, Mateos, Di Stéfano, Rial and Gento.

Di Stéfano is awarded his first Ballon d'Or

Alfredo Di Stéfano received his first Ballon d'Or from Jacques Ferrán, Director of France Football, on 23 January 1958. The ceremony was held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium before the Real Madrid-Sevilla European match scheduled for the day. Di Stéfano scored four of the eight strikes Real Madrid tallied against the Andalusian side. Di Stéfano was awarded the Ballon d'Or again in 1959.

Three-time European Champion

Real Madrid became European champions for the third time at Heysel Stadium in Brussels after defeating Milan in overtime 3-2. The extraordinary match saw both teams showcasing professional pride. Gento's goal in overtime crowned the Whites as champions.

Ferenc Puskas

11 August 1958, after tough negotiations, Ferenc Puskas was acquired by the entity. Will be a great reinforcement of the season. A legendary figure in world football, is considered one of the best players in history. Nicknamed "Little Cannon Pum Pum" due to his unerring left-foot shot and his goals.

Ferenc Puskas

European kings again

Madridismo triumphed again in the fourth European Cup final. The match was held in Stuttgart and Real Madrid faced an old foe: Stade Reims. The Whites earned a 2-0 victory thanks to goals by Mateos and Di Stéfano and kept their European crown. Real Madrid were already considered as the best team in Europe.

Five-time champions

On 18 May 1960, Real Madrid won their fifth consecutive European title in Glasgow, a feat that as of today stands unrivalled. Hampden Park saw how the Whites defeated Eintracht Francfort 7-3, thanks to four goals by the unforgettable Puskas and three by Di Stéfano

First Intercontinental Cup champions

On September 4, 1960, Real Madrid were crowned as the best team in the world after beating, in the first Intercontinental Cup final in history, Montevideo Peñarol by 5-1 on aggregate. After the first leg, played in Uruguay and ended with 0-0, Real Madrid did not miss the opportunity to offer a new title to the 120,000 spectators who lined the steps of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Puskas (2), Di Stefano and Herrera made local five goals, and Spencer scored the consolation goal of Peñarol.

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History: 1941-1950

If in the sport this decade was the weakest of all the history of Real Madrid, from here starts the future success of the Club. Madrid was destroyed after the civil war, but this was a prescient man, Santiago Bernabeu, who will lay the foundations of a team that, over the years, will be recognized as the Best Club of the twentieth century.

The Club recovers its crown

On January 1, 1941, after recovering its crown, Madrid Football Club changed their name to Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. The Real Madrid was reinforced by a number of players trying to mitigate the effects of civil strife that had left the team without its most emblematic figures. Thus, in the first year of the decade came Barinaga and Olivares, two players who would make history in the Club. By contrast, the April 5, 1941, one of the great legends of the club, Jacinto Quincoces, considered the best defender in the world at the time, played his last game for Real Madrid.

Historical victory against Barcelona: 11-1

In the second leg of the semifinals of the Spanish Cup in 1943, Real Madrid earned an historical victory over Barcelona, defeating the Catalans 11-1. The Whites were bitter about the 3-0 defeat at Las Corts Stadium in the first leg and the bad reception Barcelona's fans gave them. They stepped onto the pitch at Chamartín Stadium determined to earn a victory and sealed a spectacular 8-0 score at the end of the first half. At the end of the match, the score-board reflected an historical figure: 11-1. Pruden (4), Barinaga (3), “Chus” Alonso (2), Alsúa and Botella scored Real Madrid's eleven strikes, while Martín tallied Barcelona's only goal.

Bernabéu's era begins

Antonio Santos Peralba, President of Real Madrid, and Mesa de Asta, President of Barcelona, were forced out of their jobs by the hostilities between both teams during the semifinals. In gatherings attended by outstanding figures at Real Madrid the name of Santiago Bernabéu, who had no dealings with the Club since 1935, came up. He was easily convinced to become the Club's next President and his appointment was made public on 15 September 1943. Ernesto Cotorruelo, President of the Football Association of Castilla, presided the Presidency Handover between Peralba and Bernabéu, which was also attended by members of their Boards of Directors.

With him as President is opened the largest page in the history of Real Madrid. A few months later, the first major project of Santiago Bernabéu is becoming a reality: they buy land to build a new stadium. Two months later, work began: Santiago Bernabéu, pick in hand, symbolically began the construction of the stadium that years later will bear his name.

Santiago Barnabéu

Chamartín cost 37 million pesetas

In spring 1943, Santos Peralba pointed out that a new stadium should be built and that it should hold a crowd of 40,000 people. Less than a year later, Santiago Bernabéu was much more ambitious in one of his Board meetings: "Gentlemen, we need a much larger Stadium and we are going to build it." Bernabéu decided to build a stadium capable of holding 75,000 people in its first stage and whose building works would amount to 37 million pesetas (222,375 Euro).

Bernabéu's first two titles

The 1940s weren't the best of decades for Real Madrid, but they marked the start of Bernabéu's office and the Club's return to winning titles. Jacinto Quincoces takes over the team. On June 13, 1946, ten years after the great final in Valencia, Real Madrid validates the Cup title with Valencia who started as a clear favorite. Real Madrid won 3-1. That same year, Quincoces consumes his great ambition: Luis Molowny join Real Madrid. The second consecutive Cup of Spain was won in 1947 after defeating Español 2-0.

Pioneer in having numbered shirts

On 23 November 1947, in a game against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium, Real Madrid became the first Spanish team to wear numbered shirts. It was Pablo Hernández Coronado's idea. The Spanish FA liked the initiative an decreed in 1948 that every team should have their players numbered in the range between 2 and 11. Once again, Real Madrid were pioneers in Spanish football.

Spectacular inauguration of the new Chamartín Stadium

The inauguration of the new Chamartín Stadium was very solemn. A mass was held on 14 December 1947, followed by a series of acts paying tribute to Santiago Bernabéu's vision and to the members whose money had financed the construction. The match between Real Madrid and Os Belenenses kicked-off at 3:30 pm when they were over. Real Madrid defeated the Portuguese side 3-1 and the new Colosseum became the pride of all Madrdismo and the envy of every football Club in Spain.

Chamartin Stadium 1947

Kubala's failed signing

In 1948, Real Madrid underwent a radical renewal of their squad. Two years later, they tried to sign Ladislao Kubala, who had arrived in Spain with his then team Hungaria. Negotiations were called off because the player wanted to include his brother-in-law, Fernando Daucik, as coach in the deal and Bernabéu did not comply.

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History: 1931-1940

All signs pointed to the great launch of Real Madrid as the best Spanish team. At the beginning of the decade, team earned two consecutive victories in the recently released “Liga” (1931-32 and 1932-33). Also won the title of Spanish Cup in 1934 and 1936. But, when all smiled at Real Madrid, Spanish civil war came ...

A bar at the Club

At the start of 1931, Real Madrid renewed their headquarters on "15, Caballero de Gracia" Street. The Club expanded its offices and bought new furniture. President Luis de Usera and Technical Secretary Pablo Hernández Coronado had new offices built, but the greatest novelty of them all was the construction of a bar in which visitors could refresh their dry throats during football gatherings.

Real Madrid lose their crown

On 14 April 1931, the arrival of the Second Spanish Republic deprived Madrid of its royal title and the crown was taken off the logo. From then on, club went back to be known as Madrid Football Club.

League champions on Barcelona's field

Real Madrid won the first of its 31 League titles in the 1931/32 season. League championship came to be threatened by a coming strike of referees, but their disunity made it fail. Throughout the campaign there was an intense side by side between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, which was not resolved until the last day, when the Basques were defeated in Santander and Real Madrid tied at two goals against Barcelona in the old field “Les Corts”. After the trip to the capital of Spain, Madrid dispatch was received at City Hall by the mayor, who officially welcomed them, saying, on behalf of the people of Madrid, gratitude for the conquest of this honorable title. Real Madrid had written an epic, not only having won the title but to do it without losing a match. The solid defensive trio formed by Zamora, Ciriaco and Quincoces -the team only conceded 15 goals-, had a great share in the success.

Ciriaco, Zamora and Quincoces

Second straight title

With great football, focusing on the fighting spirit and the quality of the players, the champion did not give options to its rivals, although it started and finished the tournament with defeats. During the campaign, José Samitier, until then Barcelona idol, joined the roster and with his refined technique and vision of the game enhanced the template. The championship was another hard fight with Athletic Bilbao, which exceeded at the final by two points, giving them their second consecutive league. Olivares, with 16 goals, was the top scorer in the championship.

Nearby was the team to repeat at the next three seasons, but in all team was left with honey on lips and with the "title" of runners, at the distance of one point of the winners, Athletic (1933-34 and 1935-36 ) and Betis (1934-35). However, on May 6, 1934, Real Madrid won the Cup tournament after 17 years of drought in this competition. In the final, defeated Valencia 2-1, goals scored by Hilario and Lazcano.

Alberty, the first foreigner at Madrid Spanish football had opened itself to the rest of the continent, and on 12 June 1934 Madrid went on a European tour. During the trip, they signed Fortuna Dusseldorf's Jacob Bender, but the German FA eventually didn't allow the transfer. Months later, on 20 December, a team comprised of Spanish players faced the national team of Hungary at Chamartín Stadium in honour of the Spanish international players that took part in the Italian World Cup. After the game, Hungary goalkeeper Gyula Alberty Kiszely, signed for Madrid and became the first foreign player to play on the team in the Club's history.

The first Madrid-Barcelona Cup final

On June 21, 1936, Real Madrid and Barcelona faced in the Spanish Cup Final. A large highly anticipated match that raised enormous expectations. With Valencia as a backdrop, both teams, and then the most representative of Spanish football, left the skin on the pitch to get the win. The Real Madrid started the match with great success, achieving two goals by Eugenio and Lecue. Then Escolá got catch up. And under a deep domain of Barcelona, came the great leadership of Ricardo Zamora with an anthology stop -which would be the last with the team in an official match-and gave Madrid the title. Real Madrid won 2-1, but had 10 players. Escolá hooked a powerful shot that went straight to the net. And there was Zamora, emerged from a cloud of dust to stop the poisoned shooting. That sensational speech marked the end of a player and the beginning of a legend. Men who achieved the historic feat were: Zamora, Ciriaco, Quincoces, P. Regueiro, Bonet; Sauto, Eugenio, L. Regueiro, Sañudo, Lecue and Emilín.

Seized by the Popular Front

The war started on 18 July 1936. The same day, the Club, along with every other sports entity in the country, was seized by the Popular Front who appointed their own people to run it. That's how Juan José Vallejo came to run the Spanish FA, the Football Association of Castilla and Madrid FC at the same time. Madrid kept functioning as always at the offices on 4 Recoletos Street with Pablo Hernández Coronado acting as Secretary and Head of the sports side of the Club, and Carlos Alonso being responsible for Chamartín Stadium.

Madrid vetoed by Barcelona

Pablo Hernández Coronado tried to make Madrid survive during the war, but the three steps he took trying to do so failed. He couldn't manage to get the team to play in the Valencia Championship and the Catalan Championship and his project for a European tour collapsed. The Catalan Championship started on 4 October 1936 with the following teams: Barcelona, Español, Sabadell, Gerona, Granollers and Badalona. Madrid coach Paco Bru managed to get the Catalan teams accept having Madrid in the tournament, but Barcelona vetoed them and they weren't allowed to take part in the Championship in the end.

Establishment of the Salvation Committee

The Salvation Committee was created when the war ended on 1 April 1939. It was presided by Adolfo Meléndez and it comprised Mssrs. Parages, Urquijo, Oliver, Coppel and Ortiz de Zárate. Its Secretary, Pablo Hernández Coronado, called up a meeting at 8 Fernanflor Street. After reviewing the appalling state Chamartín Stadium was in, Pedro Parages said: "This will be a complicated problem to solve because we will need approximately 300,000 pesetas to rehabilitate the stadium, an exorbitant sum these days".

The first full house of the post-war period

Chamartín Stadium reopened on 22 October 1939 to hold the first derby of the post-war period. It was a Regional Championship fixture in which Madrid defeated Atletico 2-1. Support for football didn't decrease with the war, and despite the fact that the cheapest tickets cost five pesetas -a price heavily criticised back in the day for being too expensive- the stands were full of fans that fervently rooted for their team.

Chamartín Stadium during Spanish Civil War

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History: 1921-1930

In this third decade, Real Madrid has become an international benchmark, thanks to the tours made by several European countries. In addition, the team made a successful American tour. In the brief period of one year, the Real Madrid stadium changed twice. The last year comes to Madrid the legendary Ricardo Zamora.

Santiago Bernabéu joins Atletico for a year

Prior to the start of the 1920/21 season Santiago Bernabéu left the Real Madrid team, for the first time since his arrival in 1912, although fans saw him play in several friendlies with the “eternal rival” shirt. In 1921, and after donning the Atletico Madrid shirt for a match against Español, the Spanish FA denied Santiago Bernabéu the authorisation to play in the semifinals of the Spanish Cup, because had not passed one year since his departure from Real.

The first team to wear black armbands

Nowadays it's very common to see teams wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning. Madrid was the first team ever to wear the armband for such use, and it was seen for the first time, in a match against Atletico Madrid on March 5, 1922, in honour of the deaths of "Madridista" player Sotero Aranguren and Bilbao player, Rafael Moreno “Pichichi”.

Ruete keeps off Bernabéu of the national team

After being called up several times by the national team, Santiago Bernabéu could have made his debut with Spain against Portugal in Lisbon on December 17, 1922. He was all dressed to play when national coach, Julián Ruete, gave Pagaza the nod instead. “I was surprised that they called me up, but even more that they allowed me to dress, but coach didn't want to play with me”, stated Bernabéu.

One year at the Ciudad Lineal Velodrome

Real Madrid were forced to leave O'Donnell field in 1923 because the owner wanted to develop the land. Therefore, the team moved to the Velodrome at Ciudad Lineal which was the first grass playing field they had ever used. The grounds belonged to Arturo Soria's heirs, who then rented it to Real Madrid. It measured 108 metres long by 68 metres wide, and had enough room for 8,000 spectators.

Chamartín, a crazy undertaking

Less than a year later, on May 17, 1924, occurs the opening of Chamartín field, with capacity for 15,000 spectators, built by José María Castell. Real Madrid paid tribute him in his dual capacity as former Real Madrid player and architect. It was inaugurated on May 17, 1924 with a match between Real Madrid and Newcastle United. The hosts defeated the English side 3-2 in front of 15,000 onlookers. The new Madridista field was full-capacity for that match. In 1947, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was built on top of parts of this land.

Chamartín Field

The first English tour

Businessman Enrique Alcaraz was responsible for getting Real Madrid to play in England, the birthplace of football, for the first time. Despite the fact that every match against the English teams ended in defeat, the British press unanimously praised Real Madrid's talent and playing style.

Pedro Parages banishes black shorts because they are jinxed

Real Madrid had always dressed in white, until the 1925/26 season, when the shorts of the official kit were changed to black. A string of bad results led the Club President, Pedro Parages, to leave the black shorts idea because he thought they were jinxed.

Coach Santiago Bernabéu

In 1926, the head coaching job was given to Santiago Bernabéu when President Luis Urquijo decided to replace Juan de Cárcer. Then, in 1928, he was in charge of the team for three months after coach José Ángel Berraondo. During the 1932/33 season, Bernabéu became interim coach for one month between the departure of Lippo Hertzka and the arrival of Robert E. Firth.

American tour stirs excitement

Real Madrid's first American tour was a big hit in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. During three and a half months the team was on the two continents when they won 16 of the matches they played. José García Echaniz was responsible for the Madridista expedition and Santiago Bernabéu was the Club representative.

League Championship: “La Liga”

On February 10, 1929 there is a milestone in Spanish football, with the dispute on the first day of the new League Championship. It is established the First Spanish Division with ten teams: the six champions of Spain, among whom was the Real Madrid, the three runners, and the winner of a qualifying tournament among a dozen teams; Racing Santander won the tournament. It was made a championship that gave a definite boost to Spanish football. The Real Madrid debut is settled with victory over Europe 5-0. The Real Madrid is the first leader of the league. Good start in a competition that will bring fans great satisfaction.

The first Madrid-Atletico derby

Madrid and Atletico met for the first time on February 21, 1929, in matchday 3 of the League Championship at the former Chamartín field. It was the first official derby of the new tournament, and Madrid won 2-1 thanks to a double by Triana, while Marín scored the lone strike for the Rojiblancos.

First League runner-up

Real Madrid led the first Spanish football League for the first ten match days, and it looked like they would easily win the League title. But the Madridistas were surpassed by Arenas de Guecho and Barcelona. Madrid retook the lead in the second part of the tournament by defeating Arenas, in what was their best game of the season. But the loss against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés in the last match of the season kept Madrid from winning the title. They had to settle for runner-up, just one point behind Barcelona.

Zamora signing has national impact

The negotiations between Pablo Hernández Coronado and Damián Canellas, technical secretaries of Real Madrid and Español respectively, produced the transfer of the legendary keeper to the White Club. The Zamora signing caused a national stir, because Madrid paid to the Catalan Club, the astronomical figure of 150,000 pesetas (900€). “The Divine,” as Zamora was also known, made his Real Madrid debut on October      5, 1930 against Atletico Madrid in matchday 4 of the Regional Championship.

Ricardo Zamora

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