The final whistle went, but Real Madrid still had to wait. Players hugged each other and sang some of the club’s most famous songs in front of a packed south stands. Their 3-0 win against visitors Cadiz on Saturday afternoon meant the job was more or less done – just not quite.
In truth, it’s really only been a matter of time since Barcelona won 3-2 here in El Clasico two weeks ago. Everyone knew, ever since Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time winner put them 11 points ahead, that the title would return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The official message from the club has been calm and continuity. That all thoughts are focused on completing the task at hand – referring more to Wednesday night and the subsequent Champions League semi-final home game against Bayern Munich.
But still, yesterday was not just any spring afternoon in the Spanish capital.
You could tell as soon as Brahim Diaz’s brilliant opener ignited the game shortly after half-time. Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s reaction to a Madrid goal is usually soft and reserved, while his assistant and son Davide tend to celebrate a bit more. At this point, they both stood up and punched the air.
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There were more moments like that.
Bellingham, rested from the starting line-up, came on and scored his 18th La Liga goal on his Madrid debut – he is two behind Girona’s Artem Dovbyk in the top scorer race. In stoppage time, Nacho raced forward and broke through the defense before Joselu made an easy save. It was “la guinda”—the cherry on top.
Victory in Madrid meant Barca had to beat high-flying neighbors Girona later in the day to retain the La Liga crown for another week. And it felt like they might slip up.
Even before the whistle, chants of “Campeones!” (Champions) could be heard, and it was a joyous scene as players and fans joined in the celebration – but soon it was back on. Ancelotti was the only one who spoke to the media. No player came to speak in the mixed zone, something that usually only happens with the most painful defeats.
With Bayern’s second game four days away, the idea was to end the party there, although few really wanted to go home just yet. The players and coaching staff remained at the Bernabeu, some with family and friends, to take part in the day’s key match – at Girona’s 13,500-capacity Montilivi stadium.
While scattered between the dressing rooms, the Bernabeu’s private box and the pitch, Madrid fans gathered in anticipation outside the ground and at the famous Cibeles Fountain in the city center – where the club’s titles are traditionally celebrated.
Barcelona went ahead twice, but even when they were 2-1 up and dominating, the crowd didn’t spread 700km (almost 450 miles) away in the capital. Girona came back and sealed their own Champions League place with another impressive performance. When the final whistle blew, it was finally official. Girona had won 4-2. Madrid became Spanish champions for the 36th time.
💜🔊 #MADRIDISTS x @REAL MADRID 🔊💜 photo.twitter.com/u026O6ERRb
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) May 4, 2024
There were no more than 2,000 people in Cibeles at the time, according to police sources, so they decided not to close the road. In recent years, many more have gathered – but Madrid had already said they would not hold a parade there on Saturday night.
“I want to send a message of calm.” It will be celebrated in a week, as it deserves,” said Nacho, the captain, in an interview with Madrid’s local media – the first reaction to the title. “We are already thinking about the game against Bayern on Wednesday.
This was Nacho in the captaincy position after equaling, along with Luka Modric, the 25 titles won by their former teammates Karim Benzema and Marcelo with the club in all competitions. No player has more in Madrid history.
Athletic texted a club source: “You have to open beers!”
“Nope. There is practice tomorrow,” was the answer. It was supposed to be at 11am today (Sunday) at their base in the northern Valdebebas district of the city.
Madrid fans gather in the city center on Saturday night (Diego Radames/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Back at the Bernabeu, scenes of celebration were shared on social media.
One clip showed a tight group of players dancing together before Ancelotti and the rest of the coaching staff were given space to join the crowd, as well as physios. There were special moments there, as the chanting of Thibaut Courtois’ name – the Belgian had played for the first time all season after two knee injuries. And there was at least a toast or two, with cava or champagne.
But at 20.50, about half an hour after the whistle for the game in Girona, the players started to leave.
Toni Kroos, who has a reputation for being a homebody, went first. Bellingham was the last one out, sitting in the front seat of a passenger car with the window down as his mother drove. He was clearly in a mood to celebrate – he almost grabbed the microphone of a radio reporter who was trying to grab a word.
At the time, Ancelotti’s first words in a report on the club’s website were: “It was deserved Liga.”
There was a similar mood surrounding the celebrations following Madrid’s previous league success two years ago, when they also had a Champions League semi-final second leg at home against Manchester City just days later.
Who knows what would have happened if they had let their hair down a little more. Would we have seen the spectacular comeback they produced on that magical night en route to the club’s 14th European Cup/Champions League crown?
Madrid’s restrained response on Saturday does not mean that this latest league title is not valued. But recent experience has told them it’s better to wait.
(Top photo: Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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