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Real Madrid Club de Fútbol

History of Real Madrid Football Club

Perhaps the most famous football club in the world, Real Madrid’s hunger for success in European football and their relentless efforts to sign the biggest stars puts the club firmly in the gambling limelight.

Madrid Club de Fútbol, founded in 1902, became known as Real following an official blessing by King Alfonso XIII of Spain in June 1920. Since joining the Spanish league (La Liga) at its formation in 1928, Real Madrid have never been relegated from the Primera (first) division.

Real Madrid’s first kit, all white, is the origin of their nickname Los merengues (the whites). Real Madrid play their home football in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Chamartín, Madrid which was opened in 1947.

Since the 1950s, Real Madrid Football Club has consistently been a top European club and was ranked the 20^th century’s most successful club by the world football governing body FIFA. Real have won the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) nine times, more than any other club, and have won 29 Spanish first division titles. Real Madrid’s biggest rival is the Catalan team Barcelona, a rivalry based as much in politics as it is in football.

Real Madrid’s recent trend for signing the world’s best footballers has earned them the new nickname of Los galácticos (the galactics). It all started with the signing of Portuguese playmaker Luis Figo for EUR 60m shortly after Euro 2000, and other notable purchases have included two-times world player of the year Zinedine Zidane for a world record fee of EUR 71m, and top Brazilian striker Ronaldo for EUR 39m. In 2003 England captain David Beckham arrived at Real Madrid, a move which cynics suggest was as much about acquiring the lucrative Beckham brand as about football.

Real Madrid has seen a high turnover of managers due to the huge expectations of the club and the fans. Englishman John Toshack has managed Madrid twice, and other recent managers have included Vicente Del Bosque, José Antonio Camacho and Mariano García Remón. Current head coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is also under pressure following a lack of success in 2004/2005.

Real Madrid - Trophies and Honours

European Cup/UEFA Champions League:

• 1955/56 4-3 vs. Stade de Reims-Champagne
• 1956/57 2-0 vs. A.C. Fiorentina
• 1957/58 3-2 vs. AC Milan
• 1958/59 2-0 vs. Stade de Reims-Champagne
• 1959/60 7-3 vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
• 1965/66 2-1 vs. Partizan Belgrade
• 1997/98 1-0 vs. Juventus
• 1999/00 3-0 vs. Valencia
• 2001/02 2-1 vs. Bayer Leverkusen

European Super Cup: 2002

Intercontinental Cup: 1960; 1998; 2002

UEFA Cup: 1984/85; 1985/86

Spanish First Division titles - La Liga: 1931/32; 1932/33; 1953/54; 1954/55; 1956/57; 1957/58; 1960/61; 1961/62; 1962/63; 1963/64; 1964/65; 1966/67; 1967/68; 1968/69; 1971/72; 1974/75; 1975/76; 1977/78; 1978/79; 1979/80; 1985/86; 1986/87; 1987/88; 1988/89; 1989/90; 1994/95; 1996/97; 2000/01; 2002/03

Spanish King's Cup - Copa del Rey: 1904/05; 1905/06; 1906/07; 1907/08; 1916/17; 1933/34; 1935/36; 1945/46; 1946/47; 1961/62; 1969/70; 1973/74; 1974/75; 1979/80; 1981/82; 1988/89; 1992/93

Spanish Super Cup: 1988; 1989; 1990; 1993; 1997; 2001; 2003

Spanish League Cup: 1984/85

Betting on Real Madrid

If you are thinking of placing a bet on Real Madrid Football Club to win a match or championship, visit our Football Betting Guide for more information, check out the Latest Football Odds on our odds comparison service and find out about forthcoming Real Madrid matches and fixtures in our Events section.

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