Siuuu!!! The Real Madrid fans erupt as their hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, or as some refer to as CR7, stands next to the corner flag in his trademark stance after smashing in yet another goal. His celebration, the famous “Siuuu!”, echoes around the stadium, a chant every Madridista knows by heart.
Fast forward a few years, and the same fans are singing The Beatles’ classic “Hey Jude”, this time for their new superstar, Jude Bellingham, who’s just netted another dramatic winner.
From Di Stéfano to Zidane, Ronaldo to Bellingham, the Santiago Bernabéu has been home to some of the greatest footballing icons ever. A stadium where legends are made, and history is written, one goal and special celebration at a time.
A Stadium Built for Greatness
The Santiago Bernabéu opened in 1947, built to accommodate Real Madrid’s growing dominance in Spanish and European football. During construction, Madrid had to borrow their rivals Atlético Madrid’s stadium for home games. Something that’s hard to imagine today with an increasing bitter rivalry.
The stadium quickly became a stage for football’s greatest moments. It has hosted some of the biggest matches in history, including:
- The 1964 European Championship Final – Spain’s first major international triumph.
- The 1982 World Cup Final – When Italy, led by Paolo Rossi, lifted the trophy.
- Multiple Champions League Finals – Including in 2010 when José Mourinho’s Inter Milan completed their historic treble.
But no club has owned this stadium quite like Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s European Empire
Real Madrid is the Champions League. No other club comes close to their 15 titles, and the Bernabéu has been the fortress where so many of those triumphs began.
- The 1950s Dynasty – Madrid dominated Europe, winning five straight European Cups with legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás leading the charge.
- The Galácticos Era – In the 2000s, Madrid became a global footballing powerhouse again, signing superstars like Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo (Brazilian), David Beckham, and Raúl.
- Modern Dominance – Since 2000, Madrid has won 8 Champions League titles, featuring icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Karim Benzema, and Vinícius Júnior.
And let’s not forget the big names on the sidelines. Legendary managers like Fabio Capello, José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Zinedine Zidane have all handled the pressure of leading the world’s biggest club.
A Stadium Built for the Future
The Santiago Bernabéu isn’t just about history, it’s also about the future. In the early 2020s, the stadium underwent a massive renovation to transform it into a state-of-the-art footballing cathedral.
It now has a retractable roof so now the entire stadium can be covered. This allows it to become a year-round venue.
Changes have happened below not only above the pitch. A retractable pitch has been installed. So this allows the grass to be stored underground, allowing the stadium to host concerts and other events without hurting the pitch.
A futuristic silver wrap-around design now covers the exterior of the stadium. This gives it a fresh and iconic look. A number of other facilities including hospitality have been upgraded making the Santiago Bernabéu one of the most advanced stadiums in the world. It's no longer just a football stadium, it’s become a global entertainment hub.
Did You Know?
The Bernabéu is the only stadium to host a European Championship Final, a World Cup Final, and a Copa Libertadores Final. That’s how big it is in world football.