Real Madrid: Where Excellence Happens

31 La Liga titles, nine Champions League trophies. Outstanding numbers. Maybe the greatest in the world of football. Nevertheless, any number can explain what Real Madrid really means. It’s not a matter of titles; it’s not a matter of players.

It’s all about excellence, tradition, and pride.

These three words are part of Real culture. The organization, the players, and the fans must never forget the meaning of being part of the biggest team in football history.

It’s hard to understand what I’m trying to explain so far, but, in this article, I will try to show you why, in the rest of the world, football is simply football. In Madrid it is something more.

A good point to start with, could be Don Santiago Bernabeu. The former president of Real Madrid, who lends his name to the Real Stadium, elevated the pride of Real Madrid to the maximum level. He infected the players and to the crowd with his love for Real. His legacy remains at the present, and Don Santiago is still considered the best president in club history.

Of all forms, modern football almost destroyed Real’s philosophy. The arrival of Florentino Perez to the club presidency saved Real Madrid in economical terms; nevertheless, his football politic was wrong.

He built a star team. Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Beckham, and Raúl joined at the same time, taking part of a real global star selection. The team, known as "The Galactic," dazzled the world with impressive football. His first couple of seasons were amazing. The titles, and the way of playing, established a perfect duo.

Nevertheless, The Galactic Era came to a dramatic ending. The lack of effort, the laziness of the players, and the abandonment of the teams’ values killed them.

The demanding public of Bernabeu never forgave that attitude. The fanatics claimed that someone must pay. Florentino Perez left the club in the mid of the season. The end of the campaign was a voyage in the dessert.

Titles are not enough.

After the galactic experiment, Fabio Capello was chosen as the one to bring Real back to the way that was forgotten. The Italian head coach injected a lost work ethic. He also promised the Liga title, nevertheless, his bad style of playing finished with him. He won the title promised back in June, but Real Madrid is something more.

Real is a constant follower of excellence. In any club, the titles are ahead of the game. Not in Madrid. Once again, the fans had the last word. Their purpose was clear. The people want to enjoy their time at the stadium watching good football.

For this reason, Bernd Schuster was named the new coach. He got incredible back to back titles. Above all these, he obtained the title playing nice football.

Heart is indispensable in Real Madrid, where results are not the main purpose; it is where the excellence happens.

Hala Madrid¡