In a Copa semifinal game on June 13, 1943, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona by a score of 11-1. That day changed the course of football history, but not because of the outcome, but rather because of a fallout from it.
The conflict grew so heated (from each band, a unique narrative emerged) that the regime decided to remove both presidents, Antonio Santos Peralba of Madrid and Enrique Pieyro of Barcelona.
The White Club’s power vacuum was closed on September 15, 1943, exactly 80 years ago today. The club’s former player, delegate, técnic, and director Santiago Bernabéu was chosen by the executive team for the position. Everyone was surprised by the nomination, starting with the main character. “They want me to be president of Madrid, but I’ll only be there for a year. He said to his wife, Mara Valenciano, “Arreglo some things and leave,” knowing he wasn’t prepared for the job. “I was a nobody, without any social or other classification. I asked, “Are you the president?” Since I had to send a letter and that was it, I was unable to answer. A player to me, good. Participate in football as well because I love it so much. But President… Because of this, when they called me, I went looking for people in higher categories than I was to help me. But nobody wanted.
“If the stadium is not built, Madrid will collapse. Nobody gave us a hard thing; there were only spikes.The stadium was officially opened during the 47–48 season, when Madrid was prevented from falling to Second by the pelos. Constructing a champion team was the next step in Bernabéu’s plan. Molowny, Muoz, Gento, Di Stéfano, and Rial were able to sign contracts thanks to the stadium’s revenue (which first had an aforo of 75,000 spectators before increasing to 125,000), which resulted in the anticipated rise in quality. Later, the Kopa, Santamara, and Puskas would arrive. In particular, the one involving the Saeta Rubia, which is also the subject of a dispute with the Barcelona and has given rise to all manner of conspiracy theories. The issue is that, in 1954, the Real Madrid wins its first league title in 21 years and positions itself in relation to the other major project at Bernabéu, the European Cup, which was supported enthusiastically (and with marginally more support) by the Madrid president.The remainder is history. El Madrid wins the first five editions of the new continental tournament and becomes the best team in the world in a very short period of time. Bernabéu would go on to win another European Cup in 1966, bringing to a close a string of victories in the white club that included football and basketball. Additionally, in 1963, the construction of the Ciudad Deportiva de Castellana completed an idea that has continued to inspire Florentino Pérez, the only president of the Madrid club to succeed in continuing his legacy, 80 years later.
