Our History:
Real Madrid traces its football history to the beginning of the 20th century. As the club grew, so did its ambitions and its fanbase.
The club became a major force in Spanish football during the early decades of La Liga and eventually developed into a European powerhouse. One of the most important figures in the club’s history was Santiago Bernabéu, who became president in 1943. His leadership helped transform Real Madrid both institutionally and on the pitch.
He was instrumental in developing the stadium that would eventually carry his name and in building a team capable of dominating European football.
The European breakthrough Real Madrid won the first five editions of the European Cup between 1956 and 1960. This period established the club as a dominant force in European football. Players such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Francisco Gento and Ferenc Puskás became central figures in this golden era.
The club subsequently continued to collect domestic and international trophies across different generations. The modern era Real Madrid’s modern history includes several extraordinary periods of success.
The club won the Champions League in 1998, 2000 and 2002 before entering another remarkable era under managers including Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane. Between 2014 and 2018, Real Madrid won four Champions League titles, including an unprecedented run of three consecutive victories from 2016 to 2018.
The club then won the Champions League again in 2022 and reached its 15th European Cup in 2024, defeating Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.