Almost the whole world is enjoying a football bash now with the beginning of the 20th FIFA (The Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup! I am not a very big fan of football, but I enjoy the celebratory mood of the people from all over the world.
Football World Cup
Some people support Brazil, some like Argentina or some choose their own specific countries. Lot of advertisements in all types of media, increase sales of the idiot box (I mean television) and many forms of lotteries arranged by companies – all are a (commercial) part of this game.
Nostalgia with the World Cup
I feel a bit nostalgic with the World Cup. I remember, decades ago (I was in standard three or four in school), around the time of the World Cup, I used to buy Big Bubble (chewing gum) to collect players’ photographs which used to come with it. I also remember that only our family used to have one Black & White TV (with the big shutter door) in our neighborhood. At night, many of our neighbors used to come to our house to watch the World Cup on our television. Little did I know about football at that time, but I used to enjoy the excitement on other’s eyes and their celebrating spree. I too shouted “Gooooooaaaaal” with them. It was fun! Years passed by but my feeling is still the same.
FIFA Headquarters
Now I reside in Lausanne, Switzerland, which is not far away from the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
The Real Madrid Club in Madrid, Spain

The Santiago Bernabeu Football Stadium is Real Madrid’s home ground.
So for all football lovers (and also who don’t love) out there, a small gift from me. Here I am going to present my travel experience to the Santiago Bernabeu Football stadium (home ground of Real Madrid club), which is the most successful and perhaps the richest club in the world when I visited Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Real Madrid C.F (Club de Football) is known all over the world because it always had big-name players (Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldo to name a few) in its squad, thus capable of presenting free-flowing and entertaining football. I know Spain is out of the World Cup this time, but when we visited they were still the world champions!
Remembering an inspiring quote by Pele
Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.
The Trophy room in the Real Madrid Club
The Trophy room inside the Real Madrid Club is spectacular. It was amazing to see all the golden balls and boots won by the Real Madrid players. While I can’t even kick a football hard (ouch my knees, it hurts) but I was happy to pose in front of the trophy gallery.
Travel Realizations
Whatever be the field (Engineering, Medicine, Painting, Literature, Football or Cricket), it needs courage, determination, passion and winning spirit to become successful.
Your love makes me strong,
Your hate makes me unstoppable
By Cristiano Ronaldo
Two statues inside the trophy room of the Real Madrid Club
Inside the trophy room, we saw two statues. One is of Santiago Bernabeu Yeste, one of the most prominent men behind the success of Real Madrid Club and the other statue is of Alfredo Di Stefano, the Argentine-Spanish footballer, who is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Even a non-football fan like me got caught up in the atmosphere inside the museum.
The interactive player’s gallery is indeed wonderful. It was amazing to watch all the cups won for the European Champions League title by Real Madrid club (9 in total).
Next post highlight
Writing about this memorable tour in just one blog post seems a tough task. So I will write about the Santiago Bernabeu stadium more in my next post, where you can read about and see pictures of the player’s dressing room and their dugout, VIP gallery, player’s tunnel and the club’s press room. Also, if you want to read and plan short day trips from Madrid, then here is a list of day trip ideas from Madrid.
Question time
So have you ever done a stadium tour? If yes, how different was it from this? Was it a football or cricket or tennis stadium or of some other game?
Similar articles from Travel Realizations
- Santiago Bernabeu Stadium – The home of Real Madrid!
- Camp Nou Stadium – The home of Football Club Barcelona!
- Football Club Barcelona – More than a club!
- The Olympic flame in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Launna
I wanted to thank you for the sweet comment on my blog… I am following you on Bloglovin now 😉
Travel Realizations
Hey that's so sweet of you Launna!!
Welcome to my blog. I would love to hear from you more.
Rachna Chhabria
I like football. Its one of my favourite games. I have never done a stadium tour. Thanks for sharing your stadium tour with us. Lovely pictures, Chirasri.
Travel Realizations
Thanks Rachna!!
Football matches become more interesting during world cup isn't it?
Runu Dey
i am feeling goosebumps on my body,as i 'm in virtual reality on reading ur blogs and seeing the photos inside of the famous club of world,thanks a lot
Travel Realizations
So wait for more such goosebumps since I will be continuing this tour in my next few posts.
Balaka Basu
I have always wanted to visit this place. I am a crazy soccer fan and this is my dream destination. Thank you for this post.
Travel Realizations
Dear Balaka,
Sharing is such a lovely delight. I am happy that you loved it.
Plowing Through Life (Martha)
I don't follow soccer, or any other type of sport, but I can certainly appreciate the enthusiasm of those who do. And I would certainly tour a stadium as I'm sure there is so much to see and photograph. Like in this wonderful post! Your photographs are fabulous. Thanks for the tour.
Travel Realizations
I am not a great soccer fan as well but I love the celebration spree (specially during the world cup). I really loved the players dug out area in this stadium. I will write about it more in my next post.
Chiradeep Banerjee
While the football celebration is going on and all the people are tasting its sweetness each second…your post just added a cherry to its sweetness.. Now the taste seems to be awesome… thanks for the lovely post 🙂
Travel Realizations
Thanks Chiradeep for such a lovely comment!
Please come back again to check the next post where I will write more about the stadium and many more photographs.