Madrid is the perfect city and Real is the perfect club to play (and support)

totaalvoetbal

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You make some good points but also some very ignorant ones. Real and Barca are very much fortunate with weather and city life compared to most English clubs.

The Premier League also wasn’t the force it is today when large Ronaldo ‘didn’t care’ about it.

Real and Barca are super clubs, don’t think anyone has suggested otherwise.
And that is all inclusive. I've spoken to players and they prefer to play in Spain because of the weather, the food, the culture and the women.

You can also say that Manchester United are fortunate they were successful in the time when Sky Sports began broadcasting the Premier League, which exploded their popularity worldwide. If this had happened in the 80s, Liverpool would be the financial juggernaut instead of Manchester United.

I constantly hear British pundits, commentators and even ex players speak about Real Madrid as if they are just any other club and they acting shocked when players consistently pick Real Madrid over any team in England.
 

Rooney in Paris

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I’ve just realised I’m over in Madrid the night of the final :lol:
The atmosphere in the city will be electric, you're gonna love it. Feel free to pop me a PM if you need any advice about the city :)
And has better architecture.

I much prefer Madrid though. Less touristy, better food, fabulous art, MUCH lower crime and a generally really pleasant vibe.
This man knows. Also on the architecture, Barcelona has Gaudi and the Gothic quarter, but generally speaking Madrid is quite gorgeous, and the way each barrio has its own vibe and style is really nice. It maybe lacks true iconic buildings (maybe Palacio de Cibeles would be the most famous?) but I think it's more consistently beautiful than Barcelona.
And Woodward wanted to prevent players from going there.
Nevermind salaries and trophies, in order to do that he needs to manipulate Manchester's weather and create artificial beaches.
In fairness, there are no beaches in Madrid. There's barely any water at all :lol:
 

totaalvoetbal

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The funny thing is the first great team I remember was Ajax from the early 70s
Which meant playing subbeteo most wanted an Ajax team but can't remember who I thought was the biggest club, it would have been United but after that there was Celtic, Milan and probably Madrid
That was the first Ajax team I watched growing up. In fact, even after we won 2 European cups in a row, the moment that sealed our prestige was when we beat Real Madrid on the way to our 3rd European Cup. You might remember this:


This is when Ajax played Real Madrid in the semi finals of the 1973 European Cup semi final in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

That was Gerrie Mühren. He got a standing ovation in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium from the Real Madrid supporters. Gerrie Mühren was a fan of Real Madrid growing up as he saw Di Stefano's Real Madrid and was enamoured by them, like most players and fans growing up in that time period. He said that in that moment, Ajax and Real Madrid switched positions and before then it was always the big Real Madrid vs the little Ajax. I still remember that the feeling was that we had finally "arrived". A lot of the Ajacied I grew up with still talk about that moment.

I will always say this, to be a great European Side, you have to beat a Real Madrid team in your cycle, ideally on your way to winning it. That is a right off passage for legendary sides.

Bela Guttmann's legendary Benfica side beat a Real Madrid side in their cycle on their way to winning a European cup in the 1960s, Helenio Herrera's legendary Inter Milan of the Catenaccio fame beat a Real Madrid side in their cycle on their way to wining a European Cup in their cycle, Totaalvoetbal Ajax of the 70s beat a Madrid side in their cycle, the legendary Liverpool side in the 1980s beat a Real Madrid side in their cycle on their way to winning it, Arrigo Sacchi's Milan beat a great Real Madrid side in their cycle on their way to winning it in the 90s, Pep Guardiola's Barcelona beat a Real Madrid side on the way to winning it in 2011.
 

Revaulx

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The atmosphere in the city will be electric, you're gonna love it. Feel free to pop me a PM if you need any advice about the city :)
From my limited experience, you’ll struggle to have a bad meal, but the chain jamón places aren’t as good as the independents. Beer-wise, I can strongly recommend The Stuyck (near Tribunal metro); the other one I really liked (north of Gran Via in a rather gay area) seems to have gone, sadly
This man knows. Also on the architecture, Barcelona has Gaudi and the Gothic quarter, but generally speaking Madrid is quite gorgeous, and the way each barrio has its own vibe and style is really nice. It maybe lacks true iconic buildings (maybe Palacio de Cibeles would be the most famous?) but I think it's more consistently beautiful than Barcelona.
Yeah I agree with all of that. Madrid has lots of little churches that you’d hardly notice from the street but are amazing inside. Atocha is a glorious station as well; Barcelona Sants makes Birmingham New Street look glamorous…
In fairness, there are no beaches in Madrid. There's barely any water at all :lol:
True. Flying over it is really weird; this vast metropolis in the middle of nothing but desert.
 

JPRouve

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I get where the OP is coming from. I love to hate on Real Madrid, it's a bit of a passion but they are the biggest club in world, they have something special, they combine two things that are quite exceptional, they are the number one academy in Spain and constantly one of the very best teams in the world.
 

Terrific Tangerine

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Feck off with this shit on an United board.
Couldn't agree more.

I used to live in Madrid, the attitude of the fans used to turn my stomach. Unfortunately I'd moved back home for Barca's rise to supremacy. I would have loved to have been there for the humbling they suffered.

Any British football fan happy to see them reign over us, confirming their arrogance should have a rethink.
 

Ayoba

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should we change this from realcafe to redcafe?
 

Rooney in Paris

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From my limited experience, you’ll struggle to have a bad meal, but the chain jamón places aren’t as good as the independents. Beer-wise, I can strongly recommend The Stuyck (near Tribunal metro); the other one I really liked (north of Gran Via in a rather gay area) seems to have gone, sadly
@Red00012 Stuyck is a good recommendation (it also happens to be a 20 second walk from my front door :)), and loads of craft beer places have popped up around the city over the past few years. La Osita in Calle de la Cava Baja is a personal favourite, they brew their own beers (Oso Brewing Company), and it's ran by a British guy, Patrick, who's a really lovely dude. It's small and can get packed but they have some great beers on tap, and a beer list if you want to venture into more obscure stuff that is quite impressive. The GM, Jean-Marc, who's part Swiss, part British, also really knows his stuff and can point you in the right direction, choice wise.

Agree with the bit on jamon - Museo del jamon, for example, while not horrific, really is the last place you should go for good Spanish ham. So many other great places.
 

el3mel

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Theres positive and theres arse licking.
Example 1 : My boss is a very good boss <- positive.
Example 2 : My boss is the best boss on the planet and he is perfect <- arse licking.
Real Madrid being the best club in the world isn't arse licking. It's a fact. They are on their course to win their 14th CL, for feck sake. The next club who won it the most after them, won it 7 times only.

If anything, the propaganda we hear from players who join us saying in every first interview that they are joining the biggest club in the world was cringey when it's clear that we aren't.

Nothing shameful about that but facts are facts.
 

The Siege

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The thing I envy about them most is their scouting ability in South America. They're too correct too often.
 

tenpoless

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Real Madrid being the best club in the world isn't arse licking. It's a fact. They are on their course to win their 14th CL, for feck sake. The next club who won it the most after them, won it 7 times only.

If anything, the propaganda we hear from players who join us saying in every first interview that they are joining the biggest club in the world was cringey when it's clear that we aren't.

Nothing shameful about that but facts are facts.
I'm not referring to them being the best club. It's in the title, it says that they're the perfect club to support. That's not true. For example I would rather eat shit than support Real Madrid with their loud obnoxious fans.
 

RedMilo

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In your opinion however, why are they so desperate to join the Super League?

My opinion is we (MUFC) 'are' or were until recent years the most perfect club. Steeped in history, glory borne from tragedy, with a style of football that makes you dream. Being a fan on part of that journey from Big Ron to Ferguson years growing up, I was so spoilt. I didnt realise how much so, until Fergie had left the building.

I am desperate for the club to get back on the right track, but its not gonna happen soon with these clowns in charge. MUFC is the closest thing I have to a religion.

Some people argue that RM are not like a PSG/Man City but they've been bankrolled by the Spanish state for donkeys years. They have sunshine I give you that and that only!
 

JPRouve

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In your opinion however, why are they so desperate to join the Super League?

My opinion is we (MUFC) 'are' or were until recent years the most perfect club. Steeped in history, glory borne from tragedy, with a style of football that makes you dream. Being a fan on part of that journey from Big Ron to Ferguson years growing up, I was so spoilt. I didnt realise how much so, until Fergie had left the building.

I am desperate for the club to get back on the right track, but its not gonna happen soon with these clowns in charge. MUFC is the closest thing I have to a religion.

Some people argue that RM are not like a PSG/Man City but they've been bankrolled by the Spanish state for donkeys years. They have sunshine I give you that and that only!
Real Madrid have not been bankrolled by the Spanish state, it never happened. And the Super League is an old idea that got really serious when clubs created the G14 which is now the ECA, the reason is simply that the largest clubs want to keep all the money and fame for themselves.
 

tomaldinho1

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When Pool dismantle them and our worst fears are confirmed I guess this thread will die.
 

LoneStar

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Nothing but respect for them. Iconic football club. Everyone from the management to the fans and players/managers just hold themselves to a high standard there. They exist for playing football and winning trophies, not as a source of income for their owners.

I do agree that the money is in EPL now, and the disparity will probably get worse with time. However, I don‘t think there is any other club (other than maybe Barca) where a lot of players dream of playing for. Also a huge fan of their all white kits. Just beautiful.

Also, the Barca fans in my country (including a close friend) tend to be pompous twats. Can‘t stand them at all. Real fans on the other hand tend to be more laid back.
 

Dante

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Real Madrid were also plastic club in their early history. Franco propped them up and forced Spanish internationals to sign for them.

City and Chelsea will eventually start generating their own money. They're just at an earlier stage of their evolution. But there's a lot in common with all three.

All of them can go feck themselves. It's unbelievable that this thread exists on the Caf.
 

LoneStar

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I m not referring only for this year. I m talking about Madrid in the 21st century. In 2000, 2014, 2016, 2018 they never really were the best club and they were outplayed by many teams each year.
It‘s luck if it happens one time. Can’t say that when they repeatedly keep winning though. Hallmark of a great team is winning even when they are outplayed.
 

RoyH1

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Real Madrid were also plastic club in their early history. Franco propped them up and forced Spanish internationals to sign for them.



All of them can go feck themselves. It's unbelievable that this thread exists on the Caf.
Actually Franco didn't care about football for the most part, supported the team of the armed forces (Atletico Aviacion) which became Atletico Madrid and didn't step in the Bernabeu until they started winning trophies. But carry on with this narrative if it makes you feel better.

I agree with that this thread has no place here though. Hope it gets locked soon.
 

RedMilo

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Real Madrid have not been bankrolled by the Spanish state, it never happened. And the Super League is an old idea that got really serious when clubs created the G14 which is now the ECA, the reason is simply that the largest clubs want to keep all the money and fame for themselves.
They are corrupt to the core always have been. Spanish government illegally funded Real Madrid and Barcelona | The Sun Real Madrid ordered to repay €20m to Spanish government | Sport | The Times Real Madrid told to repay millions in illegal state support | Financial Times (ft.com)

They are famously bankrolled by the state for decades. This reincarnation of the super league was driven by Perez, because he couldn't keep up with his galactico model, based on their business model, FFP and competition from the English clubs driving up fees/prices in the transfer market. They make Juventus look like they have been hard done to :lol:
 

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OleTheGreat

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I'm from India and from the moment I watched Man United beat Bayern at Nou Camp, I have been following them and I'm a hardcore fan. Love United to death and beyond but Real Madrid is also a club I like because most of the United stars made bigger names when they left for Madrid but also Madrid and their way of football is more exhilarating than any other club. I'm not surprised they brushed aside this Pep's City side because Madrid is a much much bigger club than CIty ever was and their ambitions are always high plus they know what to do and when especially with experienced players like Benz, Modric, and Krooz. It was an amazing game to watch.
 

JPRouve

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They are corrupt to the core always have been. Spanish government illegally funded Real Madrid and Barcelona | The Sun Real Madrid ordered to repay €20m to Spanish government | Sport | The Times Real Madrid told to repay millions in illegal state support | Financial Times (ft.com)

They are famously bankrolled by the state for decades. This reincarnation of the super league was driven by Perez, because he couldn't keep up with his galactico model, based on their business model, FFP and competition from the English clubs driving up fees/prices in the transfer market. They make Juventus look like they have been hard done to :lol:
First they have not been bankrolled, it's not the topic of the cases and none of these articles are specifically about Real Madrid, the clubs in question are Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid and Osasuna who are all non-profit associations due to their status. From that standpoint they have paid taxes as non profit association, a court ruled that the clubs were right while an other ruled that they owed up to 20m over several decades.

So even if you consider that neither of these clubs should be considered non-profit, you are talking about a total of under 20m over roughly 20 years, at which point do you consider that being bankrolled?
 

Frank Rizzo

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Pinnacle for a footballer and a dream for every fan.

No question about that.

They're exceptional.
Yes, if you agree with Fascism.

Real Madrid are the original and model for state sponsored sports washing and the original and biggest financial dopers.

In the words of Fernando Castiella Minister of Foreign Affairs under Franco from 1957 until 1969: "Real Madrid is a style of sportsmanship. It is the best embassy we have ever had."

Real ("Royal") Madrid helped sports-wash Franco's Fascist regime.

It’s basically a choice between siding with fascism or with human decency.

Which side are you on?



https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/gen...y-behind-clubs-link/fcoqldp8h2bb1841o2rspmuhe
 

carvajal

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Yes, if you agree with Fascism.

Real Madrid are the original and model for state sponsored sports washing and the original and biggest financial dopers.

In the words of Fernando Castiella Minister of Foreign Affairs under Franco from 1957 until 1969: "Real Madrid is a style of sportsmanship. It is the best embassy we have ever had."

Real ("Royal") Madrid helped sports-wash Franco's Fascist regime.

It’s basically a choice between siding with fascism or with human decency.

Which side are you on?



https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/gen...y-behind-clubs-link/fcoqldp8h2bb1841o2rspmuhe
In the Franco era Barcelona won more titles than Madrid and paid the debt to build the stadium in Les Corts.
Antonio Ortega, Madrid president, was executed by Franco.
They used Madrid's successes for their international propaganda, but reading , it seems that Madrid imposed the regime.
Franco was not a madridista, neither the current king nor the former.
It was known by a comment of the current king when he was a child , saying that his father was a "colchonero" (Atlético fan).
The King usually salutes all the teams that win, he did it with Sevilla, Atlético and he would do it with Barcelona if he was welcome.
The fact of being "Royal" has nothing to do with it, for example Real Sociedad is also a "royal", the king was in exile in Portugal in those years without any influence
 

Dr Foo

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For all their prestige, let's not forget some of their past dodgy sources of money and favourable government treatment/ league corruption (along with Barca). And their ungrateful fans (or some say they have high standards for their players)

Lesser evil than oil clubs though
 

Maciej

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People who joined an Internet forum about a football team and don't like when someone wrote something positive about a different team... :lol:
 

Lecland07

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Yes, but then the British media didn't report on the decision being overturned by the courts
https://www.lawinsport.com/topics/i...ission-on-barcelona-and-real-madrid-decisions

And please never use The Sun as a source on anything
Isn't that article dated 2019? It seems to relate a decision in 2016. I'm guessing this must have only been about a part of it: the land deal by the looks of it. There are 2021 reports about those clubs being ruled against, so seems this happened afterwards:

https://www.ft.com/content/2b6aa26f-f2ac-426f-b218-612f4c21695c

Looks like Barcelona and Real Madrid both received state backing from this, according to the EUs highest court. So, in conclusion, a proper corrupt club doing things the right way.
 
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JPRouve

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Isn't that article dated 2019? It seems to relate a decision in 2016. I'm guessing this must have only been about a part of it: the land deal by the looks of it. There are 2021 reports about those clubs being ruled against, so seems this happened afterwards:

https://www.ft.com/content/2b6aa26f-f2ac-426f-b218-612f4c21695c

Looks like Barcelona and Real Madrid both received state backing from this, according to the EUs highest court. So, in conclusion, a proper corrupt club doing things the right way.
It's the same case and it has nothing to do with corruption.
 

Gehrman

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Their ability to turn up in the CL is unreal. Still I'm not sure I can get my hopes up just yet.
 

Lecland07

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It's the same case and it has nothing to do with corruption.
So, it wasn't overturned then in its entirety. The final verdict was that they had received illegal-state backing. Not sure how that is not corrupt? You don't accidentally give a football club money.
 

JPRouve

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So, it wasn't overturned then in its entirety. The final verdict was that they had received illegal-state backing. Not sure how that is not corrupt? You don't accidentally give a football club money.
They didn't gave them money, that's not what the case is about and it's also not what was overturned. Certain clubs, basically all the fan owned clubs(+20 in Spain) have a different tax rate due to the fact that they are non-profit, the commission in 2016 decided that these clubs benefits from an unfair advantage compared to PLSC who are not non profit.

The corruption case against Barcelona is a separate issue and has to do with paying media companies do defame club members.