Real Madrid is a warehouse for star players and coaches. The world's top players come and go every season. Real Madrid's big name in the world, which attracts players and coaches, cannot be separated from the great contribution of Santiago Bernabeu Yeste. Madrid legend who died on June 2, 1978 started Real Madrid's success as a team.

Fallece Santiago Bernabéu (1978)

Real Madrid was formed in 1902. At its inception, Madrid only won the Copa del Rey. After winning four times in a row in 1905 to 1908, it took 9 years for Madrid to lift the trophy again. Even after that fasting the title for a short time.

Then in 1931/32 Madrid won their first La Liga trophy. This means that the team from the Spanish capital needs 30 years to feel the title. That success is inseparable from Santiago Bernabeu Yeste's revolutionary thinking. After retiring as a Madrid player (giving only one Copa del Rey), the Bernabeu served as Director of Soccer Madrid.

Bernabeu was the one who sparked the idea of ​​managing football management in Madrid's body professionally. He initiated the separation of every aspect of club management. Starting from the coaching staff until the administrative management is given their respective portions. The idea made Madrid slowly pursue the success of Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The most noticeable was his decision to form a special division to look for new talent, later known as a talent guide. This division has succeeded in bringing top players to Madrid, players who will give success to the team. His brilliant discoveries were Alfredo Di Stefano, Francesco Gento, Raymond Kopa, Ferenc Puskas, Jose Camacho, to Vicente del Bosque.

Once concurrently an assistant manager, the Bernabeu was later elected president in 1943 thanks to his extraordinary influence. Occupying the highest position in the team made him more free to reconstruct Madrid to become more professional. Not only football, he also made a new sport which was pursued by Real Madrid, namely basketball and handball.

Having a background in law, Real Madrid's business is progressing with the Bernabeu. Even Real Madrid is one of the teams with healthy finances. To make the new stadium, Madrid did not encounter significant difficulties. The Bernabeu only took four years to lead to build a new stadium for Real Madrid. It's called the New Charmartin Stadium.

Real Madrid finally won their third La Liga title after a 10-year title fast. That success became Real Madrid's starting mark to become a big team in Europe. Because after that Madrid won La Liga four times in a row. Not only La Liga, Madrid also won the European Cup (now called the Champions League) five times in a row.

Santiago Bernabeu and Real Madrid trophy collection

The European Cup which at that time brought together European cross-country teams was also the fruit of Bernabeu's thinking. Inspired by the Copa Latina (a tournament that brought teams from France, Spain, Italy and Portugal), it was Bernabeu who proposed the existence of a tournament between European teams in the L'Equipe journalist, Gabriel Hanot.

It turns out that the idea has survived until now. Even the Champions League is the most prestigious club tournament not only in Europe, but also the world. Compared to the Inter Club World Cup, the prestige of winning the Champions League is indeed greater because it is filled by strong European teams. While in the Inter Club World Cup there are often quality inequality between European champions facing champions from Asia, Africa, or South America.

For 35 years Bernabeu became president of Real Madrid. If totaled since he became a player, Bernabeu's dedication to Real Madrid lasted 67 years. He walked his career from players, coaches, assistant coaches, directors, to club presidents. Real Madrid also became the only team recorded in the footsteps of his career.

Miguel Muñoz, Real Madrid coach, posed with former Canario, Luis del Sol, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Paco Gento.

So no one in the Real Madrid gave the highest appreciation to the Santiago Bernabeu when in 1955 his name was decided to change the name of the New Charmartin Stadium. Because it proved its dedication and revolutionary thoughts for Madrid managed to make Real Madrid a big team in Europe, even now the world.

In addition to the magnificent stadium, its biggest legacy is the success of Madrid winning 6 European Cups (Champions League), 1 Intercontinental Cup, 16 La Liga titles and 6 Copa del Rey. His biggest legacy certainly makes Real Madrid a team that is decorated by the world's top stars every season.

List of Real Madrid First Football Legends

Alfredo di Stefano, Carlos Alonso González, Emilio Butragueño Santos, Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri, Fernando Ruiz Hierro, Francisco Buyo Cabral, Francisco Gento Lopez, Hugo Sanchez Marquez, Iván Luis Zamorano Zamora, Jorge Alberto Valdano, Jose Antonio Camacho, Jose Maria Gutierrez, Manuel Sanchiz Hontiyuelo, Miguel Porlán Noguera, Raymond Kopaszewski, Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, Vicente del Bosque González.