Defending champions and serial winners
Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in a gripping UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London on 1 June. That success in the English capital marked the 15th time that the Spanish club have lifted the trophy.
Indeed, Los Blancos have dominated Europe’s elite club competition over the last decade, triumphing six times since the 2013/14 campaign, while reaching the semi-finals on a further three occasions. Furthermore, in 2023/24 Carlo Ancelotti’s side became the first team ever to go undefeated throughout a Champions League campaign.
It is not only in Europe that they are top dogs, however. Real Madrid are also the record champions in the Spanish league, which was founded in 1902, having won the title 36 times. The team’s most successful era was in the 1960s under head coach Miguel Muñoz, when they took league honours nine times between 1961 and 1972.
Head coach Ancelotti on VfB
“The very fact that VfB Stuttgart are playing here tomorrow means that Sebastian Hoeneß is doing a fantastic job. Stuttgart are a very well organised team. I’m expecting it to be an entertaining game.”
German players at Real Madrid
A number of German footballers have laced their boots in the Spanish capital over the years. Germany international Antonio Rüdiger is currently in the side, while Toni Kroos retired over the summer after ten years at the club. With 456 appearances, he played more for Real Madrid than any other German player.
The only player ever to move to Madrid straight from Stuttgart is Sami Khedira, who did so in 2010. He was on the club’s books until 2015, two years more than Mesut Özil, who arrived during the same summer.
Ádám Szalai, who played for VfB’s U19 and U21 sides between 2004 and 2007, swapped Cannstatt for Real Madrid’s second team, but never made an appearance for the seniors.
Other German players to have lined up for the Spanish giants are Christoph Metzelder (2007-2010), Bodo Ilgner (1996-2001), Bernd Schuster (1988-1990), Uli Stielike (1977-1985), Paul Breitner (1974-1977), Günter Netzer (1973-1976) and Walter Rositzky (1913-1914). During his year in Madrid, the last-named player was a teammate of Santiago Bernabeu, who went on to be long-term president of the club.