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Football in MADRID

Be sure not to miss Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe in action

In Madrid it's possible to watch high quality football practically the whole year round. Three teams from the capital (Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and Rayo Vallecano) and one based in a nearby city (Getafe) play in the BBVA League, the top professional football league in Spain. Don't miss the best football in Europe!

The 2011/2012 Spanish League began on the weekend of 20 August and will end 13 may 2012. Twenty teams play on a double round Robin basis, receiving 3 points for each win and one for each draw. Although the matches that traditionally attract most spectators are those between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid and between these two and their old-time rival Barcelona, all the games of the League tend to be well-attended events.

The second most important competition in Spain is the Copa del Rey (King's Cup), which was won in 2011 by Real Madrid. Each team plays twice against the others in the league, at home and away, and the team with most goals goes through. The grand final is a one-off game and the greatest cause for celebration in Spanish football. The match will take place on 25 May; however, if no Spanish team plays the Champions League final match, the event will be moved to Sunday 20 May.

Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid also play in the most prestigious European tournaments. The UEFA Champions League (the most important club title in the continent) is Real Madrid's great obsession, and this year they will be competing for their tenth European Cup. The second continental competition is the UEFA Europa League, which was won in 2010 by Atlético de Madrid, who hope to win again this season.

Real Madrid 

Considered by FIFA to be the most successful football club of the 20^th century, Real Madrid is one of the most renowned sports institutions in the world. Founded in 1902, it boasts over 85,000 members and the most impressive track record of international football: the Meringues (so called because of their white t-shirts) have won 31 Spanish leagues, 18 King's Cups, nine Champion League Cups, two UEFA cups, one Spanish Super Cup and three Intercontinental Cups.

Its home ground is the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which seats 80,000 and hosted the 1964 UEFA European Football Championship final, the 1982 World Cup final and four UEFA Champions League finals. The current coach is José Mourinho and the team boasts such players as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Xabi Alonso and Benzemá.

Atlético de Madrid 

Madrid's other big team. The mattress club (a nickname in honour of their red and white stripes, the same pattern as old-fashioned mattresses) was founded in 1903 and now has 47,500 members. It also boasts an enviable history: nine Spanish leagues, nine King's Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, one UEFA Winners' Cup, one Europa League and one European Super Cup.

Its home stadium is the Vicente Calderón, which has nearly 55,000 seats. The club, based on the bank of the River Manzanares, is currently coached by "Cholo" Simeone, who has an outstanding team, which includes players such as Falcao, Diego, Turan, Adrián, Courtois, Juanfrán and Domínguez.

Rayo Vallecano

Having been recently promoted to first division after a brilliant season on the field, the popular team from Vallecas district is the third representative club of the City of Madrid. Rayo Vallecano club was founded in 1924 and its home ground is the Vallecas Stadium. The team have played first division for 13 seasons, reaching the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in the 2000-2001 season. Their trainer is José Ramón Sandoval and their team boasts well-known players such as Míchel, Tamudo, Michu, Movilla, Raúl Bravo and Trashorras.

"Geta"

The fourth Madrid team in first division is Getafe. Located 13 kilometres south of Madrid, Getafe (population in 2007 was 159,300) is one of the most populated and industrialised municipalities in Madrid's metropolitan area. Its local football club is the Getafe Club de Fútbol. Founded in 1983, it reached first division in the 2003-2004 season, and since then has made a name for itself both in Spain and abroad. It reached both the 2007 and 2008 King's Cup final and, in the latter year, made it to the UEFA Cup quarter finals.

The azulones (dark blues) play their matches at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, a stadium which seats nearly 18,000 spectators and hosted the 2010 Women's Champion League final. The current coach is Luis García and the team's most popular players are: Güiza, Ustari, Lopo, Pedro León, "Cata" Díaz, Casquero and Diego Castro.

Rayo Vallecano female team

Female football has a strong representative in Madrid: Rayo Vallecano. The team from the popular district has won three consecutive national leagues and in the last two seasons made it past the Women's Champions League round of 32. This achievement makes them the first Spanish female team to make it through a qualifying round of the most important tournament in the continent. The team plays at the Ciudad Deportiva del Rayo Vallecano sports complex.

The second Madrid team playing in the national league is Atlético de Madrid Féminas (linked to Atlético de Madrid). They play their matches at the Cerro del Espino mini stadium in Majadahonda.

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