History:
In December 2000 FIFA presented Real Madrid with the “Club of the Century” award. It was a fitting tribute to a club that has made a unique and enduring impression on the world of soccer.
Real Madrid CF is the most successful team in Spanish football and was voted by FIFA as the most successful club in the world of the 20th century, having won a record thirty-one La Liga titles, seventeen Spanish Cups, a record nine European Cups and two UEFA Cups. Indeed, it is the most successful European club of all time. Their eighth Champions League Cup was won by a three-nil victory over Valencia at the Stade de France, after crushing giants such as Manchester United and Bayern Munich on the way.
Real's home is the 80,354-person-capacity Santiago Bernabéu football stadium in downtown Madrid, where it has played since 1947. It is interesting to know that Real Madrid is the world's richest football club (€366m) in terms of revenue. In 2009 Real Madrid CF completed the transfers of world stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, Kaka from AC Milan, Karim Benzema from Olimpique Leon, among several others.
Testimonials:
Having the girls meeting the Real Madrid players was an unforgettable experience for them. Also training and staying at the top class facilities of City of Futbol gave us the opportunity to really prepare for the season.
Matt Yelton, Head Coach - Lee University Womens Team (USA)
Sightseeing:
Over four million people live in this exciting city, and the Madrileños, as they are known, are Madrid’s main attraction.
Relaxing in a Tapas-bar, or socializing in one of the many charming cafés and chocolaterías, they embody the vibrant and fun identity of the place. To get a feeling for the city, visitors should take part in the essential predinner stroll. Starting at around 8pm and lasting for the next two or three hours, the streets bustle with energy as people wander from cafés to bars and gardens, talking, watching, listening and generally enjoying life. Located in the centre of Spain, Madrid is a vast, predominantly modern city. The observant visitor will, however, find streets with small pockets of medieval buildings and narrow alleys filled with atmosphere. The Avenue of Art is an itinerary in itself; it is a unique experience which embodies painting, sculpture, architecture and natural beauty, all set in one of the most unforgettable areas of Madrid – The Paseo del Prado. Easily covered by foot, it includes three of the most important museums in Spain as well as
the beautiful Botanical Garden. A completely different experience is a trip to the gigantic flea-market, El Rasto, which takes place every Sunday morning or a visit to Madrid’s bullring, Las Ventas. Perhaps a bit surprising considering its geographical position is that Madrid is a real paradise for lovers of fish and seafood. It has the second biggest fish market in the world (behind Tokyo), and you will find an extensive selection and extraordinary quality in shops as well as in the many restaurants. Paella Valenciana and Bacalao a la Viscaina are both well worth a taste.
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is a historic football stadium in the Chamartín district of Madrid, Spain. It was inaugurated on December 14, 1947 and is owned by the Real Madrid football club. With a capacity of 80,354 spectators in 2007, it was named as a UEFA Elite Five-Star Stadium in 2007. Guided tours of the stadium are available to the public and include features any football would love. A panoramic view of the stadium from the main stands which are adjacent to the club’s museum, the entrance into the Presidential Box, team changing rooms and entrance to the player's tunnel, benches and coaching area are all part of the thrilling tour. Tourists can also step onto the actual playing surface, visit the trophy exhibit and shop at Real Madrid’s official store.
As Europe's third largest city, Madrid is Spain's financial and political core and home to the Royal Family. It is also the heart of the country’s extraordinary cultural riches of the Golden Triangle - the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza art museums. The repression and paralysis of the Franco era (1939-75) are now all but forgotten by Madrileños who, perhaps more than any other Spaniards, are determined to vivir a tope (live life to the fullest). Tourists discover that the bustling streets and life-loving attitude of its citizens are always on display and a joy to observe.
While the Comunidad de Madrid (Madrid Province) stretches over 8,000 sq km (3,090 sq miles), the city's historic heart is easily explored on foot. The narrow, labyrinth streets of the medieval quarter contrast greatly with the city’s grand boulevards which were laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries - the period when Madrid began to take on the trappings of a modern capital.
Each barrio (neighborhood) has its own distinctive atmosphere with Lavapiés, Malasaña and Chueca being the oldest and most interesting to see. Many visitors first become familiarized with the central area, known as the Madrid of the Austrias (a reference to the Hapsburg era), situated roughly between the Palacio Real and the Puerta del Sol, Madrid's 'mile zero'. It is only a short walk from here to the city's main street, the Gran Vía, lined with shops, banks, offices, bars and cinemas.
At the far (northern) end of the Paseo de la Castellana are the 'leaning towers' of the Puerta de Europa (Gateway of Europe), a captivating and daring display of architecture that symbolizes the city's confidence in its future.
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