History: 1961-1970

A glorious cycle was drawing to an end after two defeats in two different European Cup finals against Benfica and Inter Milan, respectively. The decline of the players that had thrilled the whole of Europe ended with their departure from the Club. Miguel Muñoz's generational reshuffle was eventually successful. The so called "Ye-Yés” regained the European crown by winning the Club's sixth European Cup.

Madricide against Barcelona

Real Madrid were eliminated from the European Cup for the first time in November 1960 against Barcelona. English referees Ellis and Leafe played a big role in the Madridista defeat. The former allowed an unfair penalty to Barcelona at the Bernabéu and the match eventually ended with a 2-2 score. The latter disallowed four Real Madrid goals at the Camp Nou and Barcelona won 2-1. The international press heavily criticised Ellis and Leafe's performance and coined the term Madricide to describe Real Madrid's unjust elimination.

Barcelona get thrashed eleven days later

Real Madrid took revenge from their defeat against Barcelona a few days later by defeating the Catalans 5-3 at the Camp Nou on 4 December. The Real Madrid remained the king of Spanish football. Titles, in this decade, fell in the showcase of Real Madrid, despite the great figures (Rial, Di Stefano, Puskas, Santamaria ...) were leaving the club at different times. Had to renew the equipment and Miguel Muñoz injected new life into the team, primarily with young Spanish players. On March 12, 1961, the team wins a league in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Until that day, no Spanish team had made so many records in the league. Won twenty-four of thirty games played, taking the title with five days in advance. Puskas was the top scorer with 27 goals. With this victory, the Madrid won the trophy property.

Defeat in Europe

The big disappointment came in the European Cup. The date of May 2, 1962 saw the Benfica wins in the Cup final in which all adverse circumstances are allied against Real Madrid. It was one of the most bitter days for society. Bad luck haunted whites over 90 minutes. Bitterness is mitigated by achieving a historic double in football homeland. On July 8, 1962, team defeated Sevilla in the spanish cup final 2-1.

The new sports city

On 18 May 1963, the Real Madrid sports city was opened, located on “Avenida de la Castellana”. The sports complex will glorify the heritage of the Club and host future values of the base teams.

Di Stéfano kidnapped for three days

Alfredo Di Stéfano was kidnapped at the Potomac Hotel in Caracas, where Real Madrid were staying during the World Club Championship. He was taken away the night of the 21 August 1963 by the Libebration Front of Venezuela. "I thought they were going to kill me," wrote the player in his autobiography "Gracias, Vieja". The kidnapping had great impact and his captors got the publicity they wanted. Di Stéfano was freed three days later.

Di Stéfano's bitter farewell

On 27 June 1964, Alfredo Di Stéfano played his last official match as a Real Madrid man at Vienna's Prater Stadium against Inter Milan in the ninth European Cup final, which the Italian side won 3-1. Di Stéfano had a confrontation with coach Miguel Muñoz and Santiago Bernabéu took the latter's side. The President offered the player to stay at the Club to do other jobs, but he refused and signed for Español.

Five consecutive League titles... Again

Real Madrid are the only team to have won the League five consecutive times twice in the spanish competition. The first time they achieved this was between the 1960/61 and 1964-65 seasons and they repeated the feat between the 1985-86 and 1989-90 seasons. No other Spanish team has been able to break this record.

The "Ye-Yés" crown themselves as European champions

Miguel Muñoz's generational reshuffle of the team in 1964 was successful two years later. On 11 May 1966, Real Madrid won their sixth European Cup title at Brussel's Heysel Stadium against Partizan Belgrade, whom they defeated 2-1. This was the "Ye-Ye" team. "Ye-Ye" was how youngsters were called in Spain in the Sixties, especially those who looked like the Beatles. The team back then was formed by Araquistain; Pachín, De Felipe, Sanchís; Pirri, Zoco; Serena, Amancio, Grosso, Velázquez and Gento.

Closing decade

In the last years of the decade, the team continues its course in the Spanish championship, winning three league titles in seasons 1966-67, 1967-68 and 1968-69, in addition to winning spanish cup in 1970 after beating Valencia at the Nou Camp, 3-1.

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