Located in the capital of Spain, Real Madrid isn’t just a national treasure. The team is an international sensation. With a roster made up of “Galácticos” – high priced player acquisitions like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, and Toni Kroos – Real Madrid is regularly tipped to win not only their domestic La Liga title but also international trophies such as the Champions League.
Read Madrid is already looking to build on their impressive 2016-17 campaign when the team acquired new players, won La Liga and Champions League titles and became the subject of rumors linking them to Ligue 1 AS wunderkind Kylian Mbappé. As the “Los Blancos” prepare for another campaign, let’s look back at some of the kits that this iconic team has worn during their quest for everlasting glory.
Really Real Kits
It was the popularity of soccer in England that led Julián Palacios to create Madrid’s first soccer team. In 1902, Juan Padrós formalized the club. During this period, the club saw the birth of its first legend – center forward Santiago Bernabéu – after which their current stadium is named. But it wasn’t until 1920 that the club became known as “Real Madrid,” an honor bestowed on the soccer team by King Alfonso XIII’s high steward. Many aspects of the club have changed over time, but the prominent white color featured in Real Madrid’s home jersey has lasted over a century.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the biggest change happened. Adidas became the kit manufacturer for Real Madrid in 1981, and Zanussi the first kit sponsor the following year. This first on-kit sponsorship lasted until 1986. Real Madrid transitioned to Hummels and Parmalat during a decade that saw the club win two UEFA Cups, five La Liga championships, two Copa del Reys, one League cup, and three Spanish Super Cups. It helps that they had dexterous Spaniard Paco Buyo as their guarding goalie.
Adidas eventually reunited with Real Madrid in 1998 and has been the team’s official manufacturer ever since. Kit sponsors have come and gone – Bwin, Siemens, and current sponsor Fly Emirates, which has worked with the club since 2013. Players such as Marcelo Vieira, Pepe, Raphael Varane, and Sergio Ramos have all defended the club locally and internationally, sporting the iconic Adidas-Emirates combo. While the primary kit remains white, there have been several different colors utilized for away games, such as purple and black with different patterns and features. It would be unusual to see “Los Blancos” take the pitch with a home jersey that wasn’t white.
World’s Finest Club
While other clubs may have been around for longer or featured in more popular leagues, Real Madrid sits at the top of the soccer pyramid. With a powerful roster of talent, and ability to win against all odds, and slick kits, it’s clear why so many soccer fans flock to support Madrid across the globe. In order to look the part, make sure you dress the part. Pick up the 2017-18 Real Madrid home jersey and other officially licensed merchandise and apparel, all available at your one-stop Real Madrid shop, Fanatics.com.
