REAL MADRID have quietly decided to the change the name of their iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium without telling fans.
Los Blancos have been playing at the incredible arena in the heart of the Spanish capital since 1947.
GettyReal Madrid have quietly changed the official name of the Santiago Bernabeu[/caption]
GettyThe stadium has recently undergone a £1billion revamp[/caption]
Holding 78,297 supporters, the Santiago Bernabeu has seen some amazing moments in football down the years.
It was the first stadium in Europe to host a Euros and a World Cup final.
And in 2019 the Santiago Bernabeu underwent a major renovation costing £1billion.
An amazing retractable roof was added, as well as a hotel and shopping centre outside.
But now, Real’s home stadium is going by a brand new name.
And it’s been kept so secret that not even fans realised it had changed.
According to Spanish news outlet Marca, the Santiago Bernabeu is now officially called just the Bernabeu.
Chiefs reportedly ditched the first part of its full title for commercial purposes.
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Originally named after former player and president Santiago Bernabeu, the stadium allowed fans to pay tribute to the club’s glorious past.
But now, those in charge are said to have decided for a sleeker look.
It’s reckoned that ditching ‘Santiago’ and simply calling the stadium ‘Bernabeu’ will modernise Real’s vision for the future.
The change also opens up the possibility of allowing a sponsorship name to be added on.
Currently, there are no plans to follow in the footsteps of rivals Barcelona, who currently play at the Spotify Camp Nou.
But should Real need some dosh later on, a vote over new naming rights could go to shareholders.
Who was Santiago Bernabeu?
SANTIAGO Bernabeu is one of the most important figures in the history of Real Madrid.
He played for the club as a striker between 1921 and 1926, and then when he retired he became manager, and then a director.
In 1943 he was elected president of Real Madrid and stayed in the job until his death in 1978.
Under Bernabeu’s presidency, they won 16 league titles, and the European Cup – now the Champions League – a record six times, including five in a row.
He also rebuilt the stadium which bore his name, which was opened in 1947 and at the time was the biggest in Europe at 75,000 capacity.
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