On March 6, 1952 will mark the Golden Jubilee of Real Madrid. On this occasion were organized various events, including an international tournament. The Millionaires, most representative team in the American continent, is awarded the trophy. In its ranks, a man dazzles the fans white: Alfredo di Stefano. On 28 June this year, the Madrid began a tour of Latin America. After two games in Colombia, go to Venezuela to compete in the Small World Cup in the round robin mode. Despite the high level of rivals, Ipiña team is awarded the tournament deservedly.
The soap opera that was Di Stéfano's signing
Alfredo Di Stéfano met Santiago Bernabéu in March 1952 during the anniversary celebrations and his signing for the Club resembled a soap opera in which Santiago Bernabéu, Raimundo Saporta, Enrique Martí, Barcelona President and Technical Secretary José Samitier, Millonarios President Alfonso Senior, River Plate President Enrique Pardo and Spanish FA Board Member Armando Muñoz Calero played leading roles. Bernabéu's strategy and Martí's mistakes made Di Stéfano sign for Real Madrid.
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| Alfredo Di Stefano |
Di Stéfano's hectic debut
On 23 September 1953, Alfredo Di Stéfano, his wife and daughters arrived in Madrid from Barcelona at 10:30 am. As soon as he entered Madrid's Atocha Railway Station, the player went to the Club, passed his medical exam, had lunch, left his family at the Emperatriz Hotel, met his new teammates in the dressing room and played his first game at 3:30 pm. It was a friendly game against Nancy the Whites won by 4-2. Di Stéfano scored his first goal as a Real Madrid player on the 67-minute mark.
Third League title, 23 years later
The first consequence of Alfredo di Stéfano's signing was winning the 1953/54 League. The Club hadn't won the title since the 1932/33 season and euphoria spread throughout Madridismo. Twenty-one years later, fans could sing the victory chant again thanks to coach Enrique Fernández.
Chamartín Stadium is renamed as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
In the 4 January 1955 General Assembly, Messrs. Zapater and Caso proposed changing the name of the stadium to Santiago Bernabéu. The proposal was approved and the President reluctantly accepted this honour as it was the will of the Club's voting members.
Driving force behind the creation of the European Cup
Santiago Bernabéu was one of the people to enthusiastically embrace the proposal of Gabriel Hanot -Chief Editor of L'Equipe- of creating a European tournament to determine which was the best team in the continent. On 2 April 1955, representatives of the most prestigious football clubs in Europe heeded the call of L'Equipe Director Jacques Goddet and met at the Ambassador Hotel in Paris. Bernabéu's leadership skills amazed everyone at the meeting.
The European legend starts in Geneva
Real Madrid made their European Cup debut in the competition's first edition on 8 September 1955 in Geneva against Servette. They won 2-0 thanks to goals by Muñoz and Rial. The Madrid expedition was greeted the day prior to the match in Lausanne by Queen Victoria Eugenia, Don Juan and Don Juan Carlos -currently Juan Carlos I, King of Spain.
First European champions
After eliminating Servette and complicated sides like Partizan Belgrade and Milan, Real Madrid defeated Stade Reims in the Paris final 4-3, coming back from a 2-0 score in favour of the French side. The trophy was a 23.2 kg, 66 cm tall amphora. The 13 June 1956 victors were: Juan Alonso; Atienza, Marquitos, Lesmes; Muñoz, Zárraga; Joseíto, Marsal, Di Stéfano, Rial and Gento.
Two-time European Champion at the Bernabéu
On 30 May 1957, 125,000 fans witnessed how Real Madrid were crowned European champions for the second time running at the Santiago Bernabéu after defeating Fiorentina. The Italian side's catenaccio was responsible for the 0-0 score at the end of the first half. The draw was kept on the score until the 70-minute mark, when Di Stéfano scored from a penalty that came from a tackle on Mateos. Six minutes later, Gento netted a spectacular lob that went over keeper Sarti and Real Madrid eventually won the match 2-0. Real Madrid's starting line-up was as follows: Juan Alonso; Torres, Marquitos, Lesmes; Muñoz, Zárraga; Kopa, Mateos, Di Stéfano, Rial and Gento.
Di Stéfano is awarded his first Ballon d'Or
Alfredo Di Stéfano received his first Ballon d'Or from Jacques Ferrán, Director of France Football, on 23 January 1958. The ceremony was held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium before the Real Madrid-Sevilla European match scheduled for the day. Di Stéfano scored four of the eight strikes Real Madrid tallied against the Andalusian side. Di Stéfano was awarded the Ballon d'Or again in 1959.
Three-time European Champion
Real Madrid became European champions for the third time at Heysel Stadium in Brussels after defeating Milan in overtime 3-2. The extraordinary match saw both teams showcasing professional pride. Gento's goal in overtime crowned the Whites as champions.
Ferenc Puskas
11 August 1958, after tough negotiations, Ferenc Puskas was acquired by the entity. Will be a great reinforcement of the season. A legendary figure in world football, is considered one of the best players in history. Nicknamed "Little Cannon Pum Pum" due to his unerring left-foot shot and his goals.
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| Ferenc Puskas |
European kings again
Madridismo triumphed again in the fourth European Cup final. The match was held in Stuttgart and Real Madrid faced an old foe: Stade Reims. The Whites earned a 2-0 victory thanks to goals by Mateos and Di Stéfano and kept their European crown. Real Madrid were already considered as the best team in Europe.
Five-time champions
On 18 May 1960, Real Madrid won their fifth consecutive European title in Glasgow, a feat that as of today stands unrivalled. Hampden Park saw how the Whites defeated Eintracht Francfort 7-3, thanks to four goals by the unforgettable Puskas and three by Di Stéfano
First Intercontinental Cup champions
On September 4, 1960, Real Madrid were crowned as the best team in the world after beating, in the first Intercontinental Cup final in history, Montevideo Peñarol by 5-1 on aggregate. After the first leg, played in Uruguay and ended with 0-0, Real Madrid did not miss the opportunity to offer a new title to the 120,000 spectators who lined the steps of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Puskas (2), Di Stefano and Herrera made local five goals, and Spencer scored the consolation goal of Peñarol.
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