Picture this! The two biggest European teams are walking out at the Santiago Bernabeu to contest arguably the best club competition in the world – the UEFA Champions League final.
It is the stuff of dreams, not just for fans attending the final in the great arena, but also for the gladiators that grace every blade of grass on the hallowed pitch.
Recent developments have shifted those dreams into the realms of possibility, with UEFA admiring Real Madrid’s home base and its performance recently.
A reimagined Bernabeu
The famous stadium underwent some renovations, and it seems to have impressed the powers that be at Europe’s football governing body, UEFA.
Madrid’s home turf recently hosted its first-ever NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders.
The viral light show during the game has certainly caught the eye, highlighting the modernisation of the stadium.
It is now a multi-purpose powerhouse, ready for hosting various sporting events and concerts alike.
Real Madrid’s dream come true
Real Madrid’s President, Florentino Perez, envisioned the Bernabeu’s transformation back in 2023.
Speaking then, he said, “The investment in technology has increased in all the areas of the Bernabeu Tour. The Museum will be much bigger, and the spaces have been modified to make them more attractive. The turf maintenance lighting has also been changed from fixed to variable spectrum, which allows the full range of natural light colours to be used, and this is the first time it has been used anywhere in the world with spectacular results.”
Real Madrid can lift their 16th UCL title at home
Los Blancos have an opportunity to add to their 15 Champions League titles, but could do it in front of their home fans, considering they have a barren run between now and then.
The problem is, the relationship between the club and UEFA has been strained recently, which is why Madrid could ignore hosting the final.
The governing body sanctioned the club earlier this year for an incident that took place in their second-leg match against Manchester City.
The punishment involves shutting down a section of the Bernabeu for Real’s next European game, but UEFA suspended the sentence.
Consequently, relations between the two have been icy lately, and for Real Madrid to host the Champions League final, they would have to submit a bid.
The revamped Bernabeu is expected to be a revenue-booster, with this single NFL game generating €80 million in ticket sales.
The club’s intake for one external event would have surpassed that, considering hospitality and other commercial opportunities.
For now, it seems that Real Madrid are in no mood to make peace with UEFA and submit a bid to host the Champions League final.
Until Perez and company change their minds, we can still dream.
FGG says
Even in its old iteration, the Santiago Bernabeu was a sight to behold. The renovations that have been made certainly elevate it to a modern-day Colosseum.
Any European club would enjoy the privilege of playing a Champions League final at the Bernabeu and, even better, lifting the famous trophy at the stadium of the team currently holding the record for the most titles.
However, for that to become a reality, the President of the club must find common ground with UEFA and put the past behind them.