The Real Madrid Museum at Santiago Bernabeu

The stadium where the first team of Madrid plays is named after Santiago Bernabeu, one of the historical figures in the football life of Real Madrid. The beautiful structure hosts home matches for the 'merengues', the nickname given to the players of Real due to the color of their jersey. In this blazing stage of soccer, on July 11, 1982, Dino Zoff, the captain of the Italian national team, lifted the World Cup, won for the third time in history, defeating West Germany three to one.

Santiago Bernabeu Yeste was one of the most important figures in the history of Real Madrid, to which he dedicated his entire life. After playing for the merengues as a footballer, he later took on roles as coach, secretary, and finally president, a position he held until his death in 1978. Under his presidency, which lasted from 1943 to 1978, Real Madrid built an endless history of successes and records, launching into the international scene players who would become true legends. Under Bernabeu's presidency, incredibly significant players like Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas wore the white jersey of Real Madrid. In the 80s, Real produced crystal-clear talents from its youth academy, such as Martin Vazquez, Manolo Sanches, Miguel Pardeza, and Michel. But one of the great champions of Real Madrid was 'El Butre' ('The Vulture') Emilio Butragueno, one of the most successful footballers in the history of the Madrid first team. Today, we remember Cristiano Ronaldo, Ramos, and Morata. To Santiago Bernabeu is also credited the invention of the Champions Cup (the predecessor of the current Champions League) and the corporate model in which the largest clubs in Europe are organized today. The stadium was named after him while he was still alive to emphasize the great affection and esteem that the entire Spanish sports world had for Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid is the top football team in Madrid, the richest, the most famous, and the most successful. The other football team, which also competes in the top division of Spanish football, is Atletico Madrid. The latter plays its home games at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, while only Real plays on the grass of the Santiago Bernabeu to compete in front of their fans. Real Madrid is one of the oldest football clubs in Spain, founded in 1902. Perhaps not everyone knows that this club is actually a multi-sport organization and also includes a basketball team. The football team has long been the gathering place for great international football champions, from Ballon d'Or winners like Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and Fabio Cannavaro, to homegrown stars Raul and Casillas. Over the past ten years, Real Madrid has attempted to acquire the strongest football players in the world, earning their roster the nickname 'Galácticos'. During the years of Franco's dictatorship, Real Madrid's sporting successes were exalted by General Francisco Franco in an attempt to enhance his popularity even outside Spain. However, several members of Real were subject to persecution, torture, disappearances, and killings by Franco's guards, accused, in various ways, of being subversives. The social value of Real Madrid is even more understood when related to the ancient rivalry, not just sporting, between the capital's team and Barcelona's team. The clubs represent the two rival regions of Spain, Castile, identified with Real Madrid, and independentist Catalonia, represented by the Azulgrana of Barcelona.

Inside the Santiago Bernabeu, in addition to the Real Madrid Channel headquarters, the television channel of the 'merengues', you can visit the Museum dedicated to the long history of Real Madrid. Memorabilia, trophies, and countless photos retrace not only the history of the city's premier football team but also of Spain and its changes. The Museum collects historical testimonies, such as the meeting of the team with King Alfonso XIII, after which the name of the club changed from Madrid Club de Futbol to Real Madrid, demonstrating the 'blessing' received from the Sovereign. The photo gallery is breathtaking and recounts over a hundred years of the club's history, from the construction of the first stadium to the victories of the early trophies. The jerseys of great players who have worn the 'camiseta' of Real Madrid are displayed and housed in showcases, like the Ballon d'Or trophies won by the talents who played for this glorious club. A moving testimony even for those who are not football fans, but who wish to observe the history of Madrid and Spain from an unusual perspective.

To reach the Bernabeu Stadium, you must take the blue line (10) and get off at Santiago Bernabeu station (formerly Lima). The visit to the stadium and the Museum can take place every day, except December 25 and January 1. On days when a match is scheduled, the tour can be held up to 5 hours before the match, and entry to the locker rooms is not allowed. Two hours before the game starts, the tour is limited to the Trophy Room. On days when there are no matches, visits are possible from Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 7:30 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased either at the entrances of Santiago Bernabeu or online from the club's website. The ticket costs €15, €10 for children up to 14 years old. For members of the Real Madrid Fan Club, the ticket costs €10, €7 for children up to 14 years old.