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The Santiago Bernabeu: A history of the world’s greatest stadium

By Kristofer McCormack

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 12: (FILE) An exterior view of Real Madrid 's Santiago Bernabeu stadium on September 12, 2013. The European Union has opened a probe into whether Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and 5 other Spanish clubs have recieved unfair preferential treatment from government and public administrations. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 12: (FILE) An exterior view of Real Madrid 's Santiago Bernabeu stadium on September 12, 2013. The European Union has opened a probe into whether Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and 5 other Spanish clubs have recieved unfair preferential treatment from government and public administrations. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid‘s Santiago Bernabeu stadium hosted the Copa Libertadores final second leg on Sunday. Here is the stadium’s story so far.

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 12: (FILE) An exterior view of Real Madrid ‘s Santiago Bernabeu stadium on September 12, 2013. The European Union has opened a probe into whether Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and 5 other Spanish clubs have recieved unfair preferential treatment from government and public administrations. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 12: (FILE) An exterior view of Real Madrid ‘s Santiago Bernabeu stadium on September 12, 2013. The European Union has opened a probe into whether Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and 5 other Spanish clubs have recieved unfair preferential treatment from government and public administrations. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

While Real Madrid recorded an uncomfortable win over Huesca on Sunday, fans of Argentina’s two most popular clubs prepared themselves for an even more uncomfortable final at the home of Los Blancos. The unfortunate circumstances that led to the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final being hosted in the Bernabeu didn’t stop thousands of River Plate and Boca Juniors fans gathering in the Spanish capital for a momentous occasion in Argentine and South American football.

During 120 minutes, that saw spectacular goals, red cards and an atmosphere that is usually reserved for special European nights at the Bernabeu, Alfredo Di Stefano’s former club, River Plate, recorded a 3-1 win over their eternal rivals to lift South American’s football most prestigious prize for the fourth time. It’s a night that will live long in the memory of both sides, but also a night that would swell even the most cynical Madridista’s heart with pride.

Doing our very best to ignore how the game came to be hosted in Spain, the Bernabeu proved the perfect setting for a special night in River Plate’s history, as it has proved the perfect venue for many famous victories for both Real Madrid and many other sides who have traveled to the Castellana  for European, international and even World Cup finals.

Below is the story of the most overlooked part of the Real Madrid story, from its humble beginnings to a promising future.

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