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Happy 71st Birthday Estadio Santiago Bernabéu!

By Mushtaq Nizamdin

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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The home of Real Madrid’s stadium has turned 71 years old and continues to get better with time. Here’s a glimpse of its history, present and future.

Real Madrid has fielded some of the biggest names in the footballing world, boasting an incredible amount of silverware, all in a truly remarkable stadium. December 14, 1947, would become a very important date in the history of Real Madrid. This marked the beginning of a new age in football for the Whites.

From the first day, the Bernabeu expressed it’s love to the fans, welcoming them to their new home with a victory. The first match ever played in the stadium was against Portuguese side, Os Belenenses. The game ended in a 3-1 victory with goals from Baringa and Chus Alonso.

Being such a wonderful stadium it is only fitting that it hosts games for other football competition, not just those that involve it’s the home team. Over 71 years the Bernabeu has hosted various club, continental and national matches. The stadium has proudly hosted four European Cup Finals, the European Championship of 1964

By way of example are the four European Cup finals, the 1982 World Cup final and the European Championship final in 1964, or, more recently, the showpiece event of the Copa Libertadores 2018.

While the Bernabeu has been centre stage for many of football marquee events, President Florentino Perez is looking to make sure it stays that way. Still a work in progress the President is looking to revolutionise the monumental stadium. Revamping its facade as well as capabilities on the inside, pushing the envelope of what is stadium is and can be.

Issues with funding and approval from the Capital city have given the President and board some trouble, but with Perez spearheading the initiative, it’s only a matter of time before it comes into fruition. Last year the club was considering renaming the stadium after the province of Abu Dhabi in an effort to gather funds, but patriotic Spaniards and fans were incredibly opposed to the idea.

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There is no official word as to when construction can start but the foundation of Real Madrid lays within the Bernabeu, irrespective of its facade. From humble beginnings, to then set the landscape of Madrid before it became the fashion and cultural Mecca it is, the Santiago Bernabeu is as much a part of the city the people within it.

Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more great Real Madrid coverage!

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