Real Madrid is a professional Spanish soccer team that plays in La Liga, the top-tier Spanish league. As of 2021, the Los Blancos have won a total of 91 trophies.
Real Madrid was founded on March 6, 1902. Based in Madrid, the Los Blancos plays its home games at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. The stadium has a capacity crowd of 81,044 seats. Since its formation, The Whites has worn the white jersey.
The Los Blancos is one of the most loved and followed soccer teams across the planet. Keep reading to learn everything about this great club.
[wptb id=9466]Formation of Real Madrid
Nueva Sociedad de Football was formed in 1900 following conflicts, resulting in some Sky Football representatives leaving their club. Later in 1901, the newly founded Nueva Sociedad de Football got renamed to Madrid Football Club.
On March 6, 1902, the existence of Madrid Football Club became official. Julián Palacios is recognized as being the first president of Real Madrid. Later, Juan Padrós and Carlos Padrós both became the second and third presidents of The Whites.
Real Madrid claimed its very first trophy in 1905 by overcoming Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final. In 1909, the Los Blancos joined the list of the Royal Spanish Football Federation by becoming a founding member.
In 1912, the Los Blancos started playing at the Campo de O’Donnell. Later in 1920, following the Royal title recognition by King Alfonso XIII, the club changed its name to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid (1920 – 1945)
Following the foundation of the first Spanish soccer league in 1929, Real Madrid took the campaign by storm. The club stayed top of the league throughout the campaign. However, in its last match against Athletic Bilbao, a defeat meant that Barcelona claimed the first Spanish soccer league title.
The Los Blancos returned during the 1931-32 season to finish the campaign in the first place. As a result, it was their first-ever Spanish soccer league triumph. The Whites went on to defend the title the following season, making it two in a row.
Real Madrid was forced to change their name to Madrid Football Club in 1931 following the arrival of the Second Spanish Republic. In 1943, they inflicted the worst ever defeat to rivals Barcelona by 11-1. Though there have been many protests about the match, FIFA and the UEFA still consider the result correct.
Santiago Bernabéu and the Yé-Yé
In 1945, Santiago Bernabéu became Real Madrid’s president. Under his tenure, the club excelled in every aspect. However, following the Spanish Civil War, damage caused to the Estadio Real Madrid Club de Fútbol had to be repaired. As a result, Bernabéu invested in the reconstruction of the stadium.
Real Madrid youth academy, La Fábrica, came into existence during Santiago Bernabéu’s presidency. Bernabéu also started signing world-class players worldwide. During the same time, The Whites secured the signature of club legend Alfredo Di Stéfano.
Santiago Bernabéu, together with Bedrignan and Gusztáv Sebes, decided to create a tournament for the top-performing teams around Europe. The whole concept came from French sports journalist Gabriel Hanot. Known as the UEFA Champions League, the competition first happened in 1955.
The Whites became a dominant soccer side in Spain and Europe. The Los Blancos claimed five consecutive European titles between 1956 and 1960, thus claiming the original UEFA Champions League trophy. The Real Madrid jersey also includes a UEFA badge of honor.
Real Madrid went on to claim a sixth European title in 1966. They overcame Partizan Belgrade in the final by 2-1. The nickname Yé-yé got associated with the team following few players impersonating the Beatles.
The Spanish giant claimed more trophies during the 1970s. They won five league titles and three Spanish Cups. Santiago Bernabéu died on July 2, 1978, and to commemorate his legacy, The Whites organized the Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu, a competition held each year before the start of the new season.
La Quinta del Buitre
Real Madrid started the 1980s with no significant success. However, with the fans growing frustrated with silverware, the Los Blancos needed to act fast.
With the rise of academy players like Manolo Sanchís, Martín Vázquez, Míchel, and Miguel Pardeza, the club’s future looked bright. Emilio Butragueño and the academy players got the name La Quinta del Buitre associated to them.
The performance of the squad rose rapidly. Between 1985 and 1990, the Spanish giant claimed five consecutive league titles in a row. The Whites also went on to win one Spanish cup and three Spanish Super Cups.
Most of the players from La Quinta del Buitre left the club in the early 1900s.
World Class Players and Managers
Fabio Capello joined Real Madrid as a manager in 1996. President Lorenzo Sanz appointed the gaffer. Although he managed the Los Blancos for only one season, the Italian coach secured a 27th Spanish title.
Los Blancos squad was composed of world-class players like Predrag Mijatović, Davor Šuker, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Carlos, Bodo Illgner, Raúl, Fernando Hierro, Fernando Morientes and Fernando Redondo.
Under the management of Jupp Heynckes, Real Madrid secured a 7th European success in 1998. They defeated Juventus in the final by 1-0.
One year later, Vicente del Bosque was appointed as the head coach. The gaffer added more talents to the squad. The few names that joined the ranks of del Bosque were Guti, Iker Casillas, Steve McManaman, and Nicolas Anelka.
Vincente del Bosque’s first season as Real Madrid coach proved successful as he secured an 8th European trophy for the club. The Whites defeated Valencia in the final by 3-0 to claim the Champions League.
Florentino Pérez as Real Madrid President
Florentino Pérez became Real Madrid president at a time when the club was in financial crisis. The club’s debt was over £228 million. Pérez promised to wipe the Los Blancos arrears.
Pérez brought in players like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luís Figo, David Beckham, Luís Figo and Fabio Cannavaro. Between 2002 and 2003, Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League once, the Intercontinental Cup, and the La Liga. Despite securing three trophies, Vicente del Bosque was sacked in 2003.
The sacking of Vicente del Bosque was not well received among the soccer squad. As a result, many players left the team following his departure. Carlos Queiroz, Wanderley Luxemburgo, and Juan Ramón López Caro were appointed as the Los Blancos manager, but none proved successful.
Despite capturing the likes of Júlio Baptista, Robinho, and Sergio Ramos, The Whites failed to mount a serious title challenge.
Ramón Calderón and Fabio Capello
Ramón Calderón became the president of the Los Blancos in 2006. Following his appointment, Fabio Capello returned as Real Madrid manager. The arrival of Capello proved decisive as the gaffer secured the La Liga title in 2007. It was Real Madrid’s first title in four years.
Despite securing a 30th La Liga title for The Whites, Fabio Capello was sacked at the end of the season.
Florentino Pérez Return as Real Madrid President
Florentino Pérez returned as Real Madrid president on June 1, 2009. Soon after his arrival, the Los Blancos secured the signing of two world-class players. Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo joined The Whites in a bid to help the club secure more silverware.
In May 2010, Real Madrid brought in José Mourinho as the club’s manager. As a result, Mourinho guaranteed the Madrid-based club a place in the Copa del Rey final. The Los Blancos defeated Barcelona to claim the 109th edition trophy of the Copa del Rey final.
The following season can be regarded as a record-breaking one for The Whites. The club captured a record 32nd La Liga trophy and amassed 100 points during the 2011-12 campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the fastest player to attain the 100 goals mark in the Spanish league. Ronaldo also created history by breaking the record of Ferenc Puskás. The Hungarian forward previously scored 100 goals for Real Madrid in 105 games. However, the Portuguese striker set up a new record of 101 goals in 92 games.
Ronaldo achieved two more records. He became the first player to score against all 19 opposition teams (19) in a single campaign. Also, the player achieved a phenomenal 60 goals in one year.
The Departure of José Mourinho
José Mourinho could not reproduce the same level of consistency the following season. As a result, The WHites won only one trophy. The Los Blancos claimed the Supercopa de España by defeating rivals Barcelona over two legs.
Real Madrid secured the signing of Luka Modric from Tottenham Hotspur on August 27, 2012. Eventually, José Mourinho left Real Madrid by mutual consent on June 1, 2013.
The Los Blancos replaced the departing Mourinho by bringing in Carlo Ancelotti. Zinedine Zidane became his assistant coach. Later in September 2013, Gareth Bale joined the ranks of Ancelotti.
Real Madrid – La Décima
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid performance bettered. Despite finishing the La Liga campaign in third place, the Los Blancos claimed the Copa del Rey trophy by overcoming Barcelona. During the same season, The Whites advanced to the Champions League final.
The 2014 UEFA Champions League final was played against two Spanish sides. Atlético Madrid took on Real Madrid in Lisbon. After extra time, the Los Blancos defeated Diego Simeone’s men by 4-1 to claim a 10th European trophy, known as La Décima.
In the UEFA Super Cup, The Whites overcame Sevilla FC to claim another trophy.
Carlo Ancelotti brought in few players in a bid to upgrade the squad. Keylor Navas, Toni Kroos, and James Rodríguez joined the Madrid club. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso and Ángel Di María left for Bayern Munich and Machester United, respectively.
Following a series of poor performances in the following season, Real Madrid parted ways with Carlo Ancelotti. Rafael Benítez took over the managerial position, but the gaffer could not deliver. Besides, he was not a popular figure among players and fans. It contributed to an early exit on January 4, 2016.
Fresh Air Under Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as The Whites manager was going to prove decisive for the club. The former Real Madrid player turned his side into one of the best in Europe and Worldwide. Despite finishing second in the La Liga, the Los Blancos claimed their 11th UEFA Champions League trophy.
The Los Blancos claimed the UEFA Super Cup before the start of the new campaign. Real Madrid defeated Kashima Antlers to win the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup. During the same season, the Spanish outfit won their 33rd La Liga trophy.
Zidane and Real Madrid made history by retaining their UEFA Champions League award. They defeated the Italian side, Juventus, in the final by 4-1. By so doing, the club extended their record to a 12th Champions League trophy.
The Whites kept performing at the highest level as the club entered the new campaign by defending their UEFA Super Cup trophy. Zidane and his players claimed the 2017 Supercopa de España by overcoming Barcelona over two legs.
The team went on to defend their FIFA Club World Cup by beating Grêmio. Real Madrid added more trophies to its cabinet as they won a third consecutive UEFA Champions League trophy by overcoming Liverpool in the final. By so doing, they became the first team in history to win three successive European medals in the Champions League era.
Life After Zinedine Zidane
Despite winning 11 trophies with Real Madrid in less than three years, Zinedine Zidane left the club on May 31, 2018. Nevertheless, the gaffer can be regarded as one of the most successful coaches in the history of Real Madrid.
After the departure of the French coach, Real Madrid brought in Julen Lopetegui. However, less than five months later, the Spanish coach was sacked following a series of poor results. Cristiano Ronaldo also left for Juventus in 2018.
The Los Blancos brought in Santiago Solari as a replacement for the departing Lopetegui. The Argentinian coach helped Real Madrid claimed a third consecutive FIFA Club World Cup in 2018. The Spanish club defeated Al-Ain by 4-1 in the final.
Santiago Solari was eventually sacked on March 11, 2019. Zinedine Zidane returned to The Whites as head coach.
Real Madrid and the Future
Real Madrid secured the signing of some big names in 2019. The club was very active on the transfer market as they brought in Eden Hazard, Luka Jović, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, and Reinier.
The Los Blancos claimed an 11th Supercopa de España under Zinedine Zidane. Despite achieving a trophy, the French coach left Real Madrid on May 27, 2021.
Carlo Ancelotti returned to the club as manager on June 1, 2021. He was previously coaching Everton in the Premier League. Real Madrid fans and players will look to the future in the hope of more silverware.
Real Madrid Logo
The Real Madrid logo consists of the MFC initials translating to Madrid Football Club. Although the design of the Real Madrid logo took place in the early 1900s, the club heritage is worth being praised.
The Real Madrid crest is one of the few whose visual identity has not changed or altered over the years. Instead, it shows the strength of the roots of the club.
Though the Real Madrid logo has undergone some slight retouching, the main idea is still the same. The MFC monogram was reworked in 1908 to give it a more sleek and minimal appeal. The monogram on the current Real Madrid crest is the one designed in 1908.
In 1920, the Los Blancos implemented a crown into their logo after being attributed the Royal title. However, in 1931, the crown was removed from the Real Madrid logo and replaced by a purple diagonal. It would mark the celebration of the Castille region.
Later in 1941, another Real Madrid crest update saw the crown being re-introduced. The colors used would be white, gold, red, and purple. Two additional changes in 1997 and 2001 happened to the Real Madrid logo, whereby the applied modifications mainly were about the color.
Real Madrid Jersey
The jersey of Real Madrid comes in different colors. The white color jersey is worn during their home games. Therefore, the white Real Madrid shirt is the most famous among all the other kits. Real Madrid is one of the few teams which has kept the white color jersey since its formation.
The Los Blancos usually have three kits during each season. However, for the 2020-21 campaign, Real Madrid will play its home games in the white shirt, while the color of the away shirt is blue. The third kit comes in a turquoise color.
So while the white color shirt remains untouched, the additional two jerseys can vary considerably. In addition, you may have noticed that Real Madrid jersey color changes season over season.
The jersey color for goalkeepers is different from the players. Therefore, to distinguish goalkeepers from team players, their shirts should be of another color. For the 2021-22 season, the goalkeeper kit comes in different colors. The shirts come in orange, green and yellow.
Real Madrid Trophies
Real Madrid has won a record 34 La Liga trophies. The Los Blancos have also won the UEFA Champions League on 13 occasions. In addition, real Madrid has a record of four FIFA Club World Cups.
You may want to read about the list of UEFA Champions League Winners here.
[wptb id=9628]Real Madrid Transfers
Real Madrid fans have witnessed some of the most prominent players in the history of soccer in their white jerseys. Throughout the years, many big players and come and gone, and many have written their names in Real Madrid history books.
Some of the most expensive transfers in the history of Real Madrid are listed in the table below. In addition, we have also populated a list of the most expensive transfer fees received upon some players’ sales.
Transfer In
[wptb id=9596]Transfer Out
[wptb id=9612]Real Madrid Squad
The Real Madrid squad is composed of both experienced and young soccer players. The squad list will be updated from time to time to display the current Real Madrid team. Besides, you will be able to find details about each soccer player by simply scrolling through the squad list.
You may even want to explore further by viewing the individual statistics of each player within the Real Madrid squad. In order to do so, simply click on the name of the player and you will be directed to their career statistics.
References:
- Date accessed: October 6, 2021. Wikipedia. Real Madrid CF: https://bit.ly/3ms2Vlt
- Date accessed: October 6, 2021. 1000 Logos. Real Madrid Logo: https://bit.ly/3lhj5id
- Date accessed: October 11, 2021. Groundhopper Guides Website. Groundhopper Guide to Real Madrid: https://bit.ly/3Ay3sHr
- Date accessed: October 11, 2021. Spanish Fiesta Website. Real Madrid Football Club History: https://bit.ly/3mELwpz
