Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have invested €893 million in the new Santiago Bernabeu – report
Spanish news outlet MARCA has reported that Real Madrid have invested a whopping €893 million in the new Santiago Bernabeu project, adding that once the assignment is completed the iconic venue can hold an impressive 85,000 spectators.
The outlet adds that the renovation of the home ground of the record European champions began in 2019 and the new stadium is expected to be inaugurated on December 14, 2023.
The iconic venue in the capital city of Spain has seen various reforms ever since it was first built in December 1947. Right from having an arrangement for 125,000 spectators in 1954 to hosting a mere 75,000 fans in 1997, the stadium has been through a lot.
After the arrival of Florentino Perez in 2000, however, a step towards the betterment and advancement of the venue was proposed. This included all kinds of modernization and for that, €130 million were invested in five years to make it more profitable.
During this tenure, changes such as VIP boxes and the first restaurants within the stadium were introduced. This time around, however, the team will practically build a new stadium on the basis of the old one. And for what it is worth, the process has gone through all kinds of problems.
From hosting the games without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which accelerated the cost of the project to almost €900 million, it has seen it all.
The new Bernabeu will be a stadium with a retractable roof and grass, and a 360 video scoreboard. The venue will not only host football but also all kinds of massive events.
Right now, the execution of the work is being carried out according to the blueprint and if everything is on track, the home of the record European champions will be ready by the end of this year.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
