Real Madrid CF has probably been the best football club that could. It has a record number of La Liga titles, 19 Copa del Rey trophies, stunning 13 European Cups/Champions Leagues, and two UEFA Cups, Real are unbeatable in the contest to crown the greatest football club of all time. Although the club is amidst intense competition with Barcelona (El Clasico) and Atletico Madrid (El Derbi Madrileno), Real has been one of the clubs with the highest fan support throughout most of its existence. Many of the most talented players from around the world played for the club in white shirts, including legendary players such as Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.
History
While the club was first established in 1902, the club was originally named Madrid Football Club; it was not until 1920 that the King Alfonso XIII bestowed them with the name of “real” – – or “royal” to be precise in English. In the beginning, things were productive for Real as is evident by the four consecutive Copa del Rey victories from 1905 to 1908. After the outbreak of WWII, Real could boast of an impressive two La Liga titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies.
The post-war period saw Santiago Bernabeu Yeste take over as president of the club, after having held various roles at the club from the time he joined its junior ranks in 1909. Given the challenge in rebuilding his club Bernabeu opted to build a brand-new stadium – later renamed Santiago Bernabeu stadium – and bring in a number of top-profile international players in order to compete on their level on the European stage.Join Us blog website With a truly dream team made up of the talents of Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, and Francisco Gento, Real cruised to four La Ligas as well as a Copa del Rey by the end of the 60s. Additionally, they took home one of the five first European Cups ever organized, with ease, destroying all opposition in their path from 1956 to 1960. The team that is legendary is believed by many to be the best football team ever put together.
The subsequent two decades were as glorious for the club’s growing number of fans. Alongside winning the domestic leagues by winning an unprecedented 14 La Ligas and five Copa delReys, the year 1966 saw Real gain another European Cup to their rich collection, after beating Partizan Belgrade 2-1 in the final. The decade was closed out with a bad note however, with Santiago Bernabeu Yeste passing away in the year 1978.
Real Madrid and General Franco connections
In an article about the historical background of Real Madrid it would be inappropriate to not include General Franco (the dictator) of Spain whose leadership lasted over five decades and his favorite soccer team would be Real Madrid, which served the team with some unjust favors during the course of time.
The majority of these claims are controversial and are often lacking any evidence. One that is a controversial and unproven story is the one about that of Alfredo Di Stefano which according to some was on the way to Barcelona when Castro was involved and changed the circumstances. Another tale, that has not been confirmed is confirmed, tells how Barcelona was threatened by the government and lost to Real Madrid with 1-11.
A new generation
The 80s’ early years saw the club fall off the radar for a short period but they soon resurfaced with the brilliant “La Quinta Del Buitre” generation, which included five academy students from the youth program and directed by the legendary Emilio Butragueno. After a period of struggles, Real finished the decade with five consecutive La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophies. This was the time that Real achieved their two UEFA Cups, in 1985 and 1986.
Comparatively speaking, the 90s were not a great time to the club’s fans, especially during a slow start to the decade. However, the rise of the impressive striker Raul witnessed Real increase their performance and bag the club two La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey trophy before the year’s end. The best moment of the season came in 1998 when Real ending a 32-year drought and claiming its seventh European Cup by outlasting Juventus 1-0 in the final. They re-won the title in 2000 in a all-Spanish game against Valencia beating them out in a comfortable 3-0 win.
Following that, the club was acquired by former politician Florentino Perez. Perez immediately made a decision to cobble together the most famous football team in the world. After signing at least one star player from around the world each season – beginning at the age of Luis Figo in 2000 – Perez succeeded in assembling a star-studded team that was quickly able to earn the title of “Los Galacticos.”
Galacticos
As president of Real Madrid in the 2000s, Florentino Perez, was responsible for many of the most significant transfers in international football. His concept of forming the most effective team was to get huge names and not as many thoughts of balancing his team. In the time that Florentino Perez became president. the club put together teams of superstars widely referred to as Galacticos. The Galacticos time period at Real Madrid included players such as Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, David Beckham, Christiano Ronaldo, and Roberto Carlos.
It is four-times the record for transfer fees broken between 2000 and 2012 … For instance, in the year 2000 is Luis Figo bough from Barcelona for EUR62 million and in 2001 Zinedine Zinedine who was snatched away of Juventus at EUR77.5 million; in 2009 is Cristiano Ronaldo is bough in Manchester United for EUR94 million In 2009, Gareth Bale bough from Tottenham for EUR100 million.
In retrospect Perez ambitions did not work out. Even though the idea couldn’t be considered to be sound, it was impressive and plenty of football fans certainly enjoyed the excitement. Also, it didn’t go without outcomes, Real Madrid took a Champions League title in 2003, and also a Spanish league title the same year.
Following a relatively quiet 3 years during the presidency of Ramon Calderon – during which Real had managed to capture two La Liga titles after which Perez returned as president in 2009. Thus, the Galacticos policy was kept in place by the signing of Kaka, Christiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and manager Jose Mourinho; still, any silverware added to the team was hard to obtain. But after managing to win both the 2012 La Liga and the 2011 and 2014 Copa del Reys, Real eventually won its tenth Champions League in 2014 with an impressive extra-time victory against Atletico Madrid.
Debts
Due to massive transfer fees and the wages of stars players, Real Madrid are notorious for its enormous debts. According to the Spanish researcher Jose Maria Gay de Liebana The debt at the time of the end of the 2009-2010 campaign was EUR659,9 million. City officials in Madrid have helped the team financially with their financial aid, such as by purchasing the training facility at the stadium for EUR480 million.
