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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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(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Special for more than just Madridistas

The Santiago Bernabeu has played host to more than just Real Madrid successes and is special for a number fanbases around the world who saw their teams victorious on that famous pitch.

Declared the “neutral venue” for Spanish football in 1948, the Copa del Rey final was hosted in the stadium for all of the next 25 seasons bar three, where it was held in Catalonia. In 1957, the Bernabeu hosted the European Cup final where Madrid secured their third consecutive European Cup against Fiorentina.

In 1964, Spain secured their first international trophy, beating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the European Nations Cup final (the precursor for the European championships). Former Real Madrid boss, Jose Luis Villalonga, who won the 1957 European Cup with Real Madrid, was managing Spain that night.

In 1969, the European Cup final returned to the Bernabeu, as AC Milan coasted past Ajax to win their second European Cup. Another European final was played in the Bernabeu in 1980, this time Nottingham Forest took home the crown for the very first time.

In 1982, the World Cup final was hosted in the stadium. The match saw a number of renovations made for the venue to meet FIFA’s standard. The ground’s capacity was reduced to 98,776 people and roofs were installed above the terraces. Sadly, Spain couldn’t achieve a dream first World Cup win, getting knocked out in the second group stages. Instead, Italy eased to a third world title with a 3-1 win over West Germany.

In 2010, the Bernabeu hosted its first Champions League final. Once more, it’s regular tenants couldn’t reach the showpiece with Inter Milan sealed their first ever treble and a first European title since 1964 over Bayern Munich. That following summer, Inter manager, Jose Mourinho made the switch to the Bernabeu. Sunday’s night showpiece was another feather in the cap of the old stadium that boasts a CV as glittering as the team that plays in it every weekend.

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