One of the most recognizable football teams, Real Madrid is a legendary name in international club football. Some of the greatest players in the world have played for the club, including names like Alfredo Di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane, Raul, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Christiano Ronaldo and millions of other players worldwide aspire to do so.
History:
The basic structure of Madrid’s first football club was established in 1897 by students and academics of the Institución libre de enseñanza. These students, most of who belong to Oxford and Cambridge, founded the Football Club Sky and began playing at Moncloa on Sunday mornings. In 1902, under the presidency of Juan Padros, the Madrid Football Club was officially founded on the same foundations as the Football Club Sky.
The new club won its first Spanish Cup title in 1905 by defeating Athletic Bilbao and in 1909 became a charter member of the newly established Royal Spanish Football Federation. In 1920 the club’s name was officially changed to Real (Spanish for Royal) Madrid, after King Alfonso XIII granted the title to the club.
Domestic Success:
Real Madrid has been one of the most successful football clubs in not only Spain, but in Europe as well. The team won its first La Liga (Spanish Premier League) title during the 1931-1932 season and since then has won a record total of thirty two league titles, with the last one coming in 2012. Along with their thirty two wins, the club has been runner up twenty one times making them one of the most consistent clubs in Spain.
The club has also won Spain’s premier cup competition, the Copa del Rey, eighteen times and has been runner-up a record twenty times. The club won their first title in 1905 and their most recent title came during the 2012-2013 season. The team has also won the Supercopa de España title nine times. (The Supercopa is contested between the La Liga winner and the Copa del Rey winner)
European Success:
Apart from its domestic success, Real Madrid has been one of Europe’s most successful clubs as well. The club was instrumental in initiating the first ever major European club competition, the European Club and was the competitions inaugural winner. From the competitions inception in 1956 up to 1960, Real Madrid won five consecutive titles, a record which stands up till today.
Now known as the UEFA Champions League, it is Europe’s most prestigious football competition and Real Madrid has had the honor of winning a record nine titles, making them statistically the most successful club in Europe. The club has also won two UEFA cups and a UEFA Supercup.
Since it is one of the most successful clubs in the world it is the dream of professional footballers worldwide to don the all white uniform of the club and play at the Santiago Bernabéu for the club. While you cannot play for the club, you can have the privilege of watching the club live in action as it takes on the best teams in Spain and Europe by simply buying Real Madrid CF tickets.