Football in Madrid

Football is the most popular sport, both in terms of participants and spectators, in Madrid. Madrid is the only city that had derby matches in the UEFA Champions League Final (2014 and 2016).[1]

Introduction

Madrid is home to La Liga football club giant Real Madrid, who play their home games at the Santiago Bernabéu. Their supporters are referred to as Madridistas or Merengues (Meringues). Real Madrid was voted by fans as the best club of the 20th century (FIFA Club of the Century), being the current leader of the European teams ranking and the most valuable sports team in the world. Real Madrid have won the European Cup (UEFA Champions League) a record 13 times. The latest of their 34 La Liga titles came in 2020.

Their successful hometown rivals, Atlético Madrid, are also well-supported in the city and play their home games at the Wanda Metropolitano. Their supporters are referred to as Atléticos or Colchoneros (The Mattressers), in reference to the team's red and white jersey colours.[2] Atlético is considered a European elite team, having reached in the last five seasons, two UEFA Champions League finals. Historically, Atletico has won 11 national league titles and 10 national cup titles.

The final matches for the UEFA Euro 1964 and the 1982 FIFA World Cup, were held at Bernabéu, thus making Madrid the first city in Europe to host both a UEFA European Championship and a FIFA World Cup final. Some of Spain's top footballers are Madrilenas (born in Madrid), including Real Madrid former captains Emilio Butragueño (and co-teammate of La Quinta del Buitre, "The Vulture's Cohort"), Raúl or Iker Casillas and Atlético Madrid player Fernando Torres.

History

In 2018, Madrid provided the two clubs that won the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League - Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid respectively.

Clubs

There are several football clubs in Madrid.

Club League Venue Established Capacity City
Real Madrid La Liga Santiago Bernabéu 1902 85,454 Madrid
Atlético Madrid La Liga Wanda Metropolitano 1903 68,000 Madrid
Getafe La Liga Coliseum Alfonso Pérez 1983 17,393 Getafe
Rayo Vallecano La Liga Estadio de Vallecas 1924 15,500 Madrid
Leganés Segunda División Estadio Municipal de Butarque 1928 12,450 Leganés
Alcorcón Segunda División Estadio Municipal de Santo Domingo 1971 7,000 Alcorcón
Fuenlabrada Segunda División Estadio Fernando Torres 1975 5,400 Fuenlabrada
Real Madrid Castilla Primera División RFEF Alfredo di Stéfano 1930 6,000 Madrid
Rayo Majadahonda Primera División RFEF Cerro del Espino 1976 3,800 Majadahonda
San Sebastián de los Reyes Primera División RFEF Matapiñonera 1971 3,000 San Sebastián de los Reyes
Internacional Primera División RFEF Municipal de Villaviciosa 2002 3,000 Villaviciosa de Odón
Móstoles URJC Segunda División RFEF El Soto 1996 14,000 Móstoles
Navalcarnero Segunda División RFEF Mariano Gonzalez 1961 2,500 Navalcarnero
Leganés B Segunda División RFEF Anexo de Butarque 1959 1,750 Leganés
Unión Adarve Segunda División RFEF Garcia de la Mata 1961 1,200 Madrid
Alcalá Tercera División RFEF El Val 1924 7,000 Alcalá de Henares
Parla Tercera División RFEF Los Prados 1973 4,000 Parla
Atlético Madrid B Tercera División RFEF Cerro del Espino 1970 3,800 Majadahonda
Villaviciosa de Odón Tercera División RFEF Municial de Villaviciosa 1971 3,000 Villaviciosa de Odón
Las Rozas Tercera División RFEF Navalcarbón 1966 2,500 Las Rozas
Rayo Vallecano B Tercera División RFEF Ciudad Deportiva 1956 2,500 Madrid
Moratalaz Tercera División RFEF La Dehesa 2006 2,500 Madrid
Paracuellos Antamira Tercera División RFEF Municipal 1995 2,500 Paracuellos del Jarama
Trival Valderas Alcorcón Tercera División RFEF La Canaleja 2004 2,000 Alcorcón
Pozuelo de Alarcón Tercera División RFEF Valle de Las Cañas 1995 2,000 Pozuelo de Alarcón
Carabanchel Tercera División RFEF La Mina 1916 2,000 Madrid
Getafe B Tercera División RFEF Ciudad Deportiva 1983 1,500 Getafe
Tres Cantos Tercera División RFEF La Foresta 2005 1,200 Tres Cantos
Fuenlabrada Promesas Tercera División RFEF La Aldehuela 1969 2,000 Fuenlabrada
Galapagar Tercera División RFEF El Chopo 1969 1,000 Galapagar
Alcorcón B Tercera División RFEF Anexo de Santo Domingo 1998 1,000 Alcorcón
Ursaria Tercera División RFEF Municipal de San Blas 800 Madrid
Villaverde San Andrés Tercera División RFEF Ciudad deportiva Boetticher 1988 500 Madrid
Complutense Tercera División RFEF El Ferial 1991 500 Alcalá de Henares
Torrejón Tercera División RFEF Las Veredillas 2002 500 Torrejon de Ardoz

Honours

Madrid derbies
See also: Spanish football rivalries

Stadiums

Famous footballers from Madrid

See also

References
  1. West, Andy (27 May 2016). "Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid: Champions League final preview". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  2. "Madridista or Colchonero?". goal.com.
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