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The Bernabéu – One Of The Greatest Football Stadiums In The World
The “Estadio Santiago Bernabéu” is the home of Real Madrid FC, and is simply one of the most magnificent and remarkable places for watching and playing football in the world. The stadium took nearly three years to complete and the first time it was used was in December 1947. In the prevailing years, it has played host to some of the legends of the great game. The stadium has hosted the Champions League Finals four times and provided a central platform for the 1982 World Cup in Spain. In Europe, the stadium is the third largest behind Camp Nou in Barcelona and the new Wembley Stadium. It has a capacity of just over 85,000 but in the past it has witnessed in excess of a 125,000 capacity.
Construction
The stadium’s construction started in late 1944 at a time when the club’s chair Santiago Bernabéu was looking to transform the second best team in Madrid at the time into world champions. Santiago considered a new stadium a necessity if he was to achieve this. The stadium was named “New Chamartin Stadium” or “Nuevo Estadio Chamartin” when it was first opened and it was built right next to the old stadium. Bernabéu continually improved the stadium over the course of the next decade and in 1955 it was renamed in his honor. During this time, Real Madrid was in its heyday and dominating European football. By 1998, the implementation of an all-seater policy and safety concerns reduced the stadium’s capacity to the 85,000 capacity mark but plans are afoot to increase this once more.
Who Was Santiago Bernabéu?
Santiago Bernabéu Yeste is widely regarded as the most important figure in the club’s history. Santiago is credited for turning Real Madrid into the force they became in the 1950’s and shaping the club into one of the most influential in the world in modern times. Santiago was the President of the club for 35 years.
Dedicating His Life To Real Madrid
Santiago was born in June 1895. He became a fan of the club before signing with the club’s junior side when he was 14. Over the next 18 years, he both captained the club and played as a striker before he retired in 1927. After he left the playing side of the club, he proceeded to become the director, assistant manager and finally the club’s manager before the 1936 Spanish Civil War overtook football in terms of importance. Three years later, and with the Civil War now over but the Second World War just starting, Bernabéu found it difficult to rebuild the club due to the effects of the wars on staffing levels and local infrastructure. Most of the trophies belonging to the club were stolen and the club was facing an all-time low. Bernabéu spent the first few months restructuring the club first by contacting ex-players and staff and then proceeded to help develop the club during an incredibly difficult period as the Second World War was ending. He was so successful in his efforts that he took over the club’s presidency in 1943, a role he held until June 1978 when he died. The process was slow and laborious but gradually he managed to change the club into football’s most dominant force during the 1950’s.
His Influence In Europe And Legacy
Bernabéu had a policy of recruiting the best players in the world and not just Spain, which was something unheard of in that time as the first Galactico’s were signed. Among some of the players signed who are widely regarded as some of the best to ever grace the game are Ferenc Puskás and Alfredo di Stéfano. Alfredo, who is now aged 87, remains a big part of Real Madrid as an honorary president. Bernabéu, as well as playing a huge part in Madrid’s history was also responsible largely for creating what was the forerunner of the Champions League. This was achieved when in 1955 when, acting upon an idea suggested by a French journalist Gabriel Hanot, he helped organize a regular coming together of all top European teams.
How Do I Get To The Bernabéu Stadium?
Reaching the stadium grounds is via its own metro station named Santiago Bernabéu and is also served by several bus routes. It is probably wise avoiding driving to the ground as parking is limited and and you may get lost if you don’t know where you are going. Consider planning your journey in advance to ensure you visit the stadium at the best time.
What Does The Future Hold?
Club president Florentino Pérez announced in October 2013 that Real Madrid are looking to sell the stadium naming rights and hope to attract sponsorship to the tune of €400m. Perez has described the project as one that provides the stadium with an outer skin that will be its crowning achievement. Pérez believes that the stadium needs to be the crowning achievement of 21st Century stadium architecture and become simply the best in the world.
