Topics: Real Madrid, Champions League, Barcelona, La Liga
Real Madrid are synonymous with many things: Champions League titles, the Galácticos, and, of course, their classy, all-white home kit. But there is a specific reason why, throughout their long and decorated history, the Spanish giants have rarely deviated from their iconic strip.
Nicknamed ‘Los Blancos’ – meaning ‘the White’ in Spanish – on account of their trademark attire, Real have achieved almost everything there is to achieve in World and European club football.
They are most successful team in the history of the European Cup and Champions League, have 35 La Liga triumphs to their name, as well as a seemingly endless list of footballing superstars who have donned the famous shirt over the decades.
But perhaps the only thing more revered than the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema, is the kit itself.
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Surprisingly, Madrid’s all-white get-up was actually inspired by English side Corinthian FC following a trip to London by two of Real’s founders in 1902, where they watched them play at The Oval.
Impressed by the team’s sportsmanship and dignity, they chose to emulate the attire for their newly-formed football club in Madrid.
However, during the mid-1920s, Real did experiment with several different colours, including an off-white top, a black top, and black shorts.
But the change was short lived: during the season they wore black shirts, Real were eliminated from the cup by Barcelona in a humiliating 5-1 loss at home and a 2-0 defeat away, prompting former President Pedro Parages to declare that the club would return to the all-white style, and that any deviation from that would be a bad omen.
Since then, Real Madrid, who meet fierce rivals Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, have stuck with their tried and trusted all-white strip.
It may once again prove to be a fruitful year for Los Blancos. Currently second in La Liga, in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, and looking to defend their European crown when they play Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals next month, a treble is still very much on cards for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
And, wearing the all-white kit with more than a century of history and success behind it, who would be brave enough to bet against them?
