Real Madrid Football Club

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Real Madrid Football Club
Club History & Facts:
Real Madrid were founded in the Spanish capital in 1902, and was originally called club Espanol de Madrid. They play their home games at the Santiago Bernabeau which holds 80,00 people. They play in their traditional white strip which gives them the nickname of Los Blancos[The whites.]
The new club president is Vicente and Balouda and the current manager is Juande Ramos. Graduates from Oxbridge introduced Madrid to football in 1897 and formed Football club sky which would eventually break off into Real Madrid a few years later.
Madrid are the most successful side in Spanish and European history with a record 31 La Liga titles. Their first success came in the 1931-32 season, but it was the 1950's where Madrid really dominated with the infamous Argentinian striker Alfredo Di Stefano in the ranks. They won numerous league championships. The whites also have 14 pieces of Copa Del Rey silverware in their illustrious cabinet, the last trophy arriving in 2004.
Madrid have regained domestic dominance in the past two years with two consecutive La Liga's in 2007 and 2008 with the likes of the amazing Ilker Casillas in goal and prolific goal machine Ruud Van Nistlerooy being the main architects in these triumphs.
Real went through a lean period during the 'Galacticos Era' when the club had such names as David Beckham, Luis Figo and Zidane, but results were starting to suffer on the pitch and the arrival of Fabio Cappelo back to his old stomping ground saw a turn around in 2006 as he began to breed new talent and players earnt their way on to the pitch.
European Performance
They also won incredible 5 back to back European Cups between 1956 and 1960 including their historic 7-3 win against Eintracht Frankfiurt in Glasgow.
Madrid have won a record of 9 Champions League cups, but their dominance has dwindled since winning it with a Zinedine Zidane wonder strike in 2002 against Bayer Leverkusen they have only managed to reach the semi-finals once in 6 years, and have been knocked out in the last 16 for 5 years on the trot. Club legends include ex-skipper Fernando Hierro and all time top goalscorer and today's club captain Raul Sanchez.
There has been a renaissance in Madrid over the summer with the return of Florentino Perez meaning a new Galacticos era at the club with the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and French striker Karim Benzema. The hierarchy at Real were so frustrated with their humiliating displays gainst Liverpool in the Champion League and finishing clear runners up to La Liga champions Barcelona.
more to follow