Real Madrid crowned Spanish champions for the 35th time in their history

Leader from start to finish, Real Madrid took the 35^and national crown in its history against Espanyol Barcelona (4-0), Saturday April 30, four days before the end of the championship, making Carlo Ancelotti the first coach to win the five major championships.

Without most of the executives, left to rest before the Champions League semi-final return against Manchester City on Wednesday, Real signed a festival to carry the blow: two goals from young Rodrygo (33^and44^and), a third from Marco Asensio (55^and), and a final one from the inevitable Karim Benzema (81^and), top scorer and top assist provider in La Liga.

Madrid are champions with 17 points ahead of their provisional runner-up, Sevilla FC, hung 1-1 by Cadiz on Friday.

Entering on the hour mark, Benzema, who has worn the armband throughout the season, accompanied Marcelo, official captain and holder on Saturday, to lift the trophy in front of the nearly 80,000 spectators at the Santiago-Bernabéu. And 250,000 supporters are expected in the evening at the Cibeles fountain, the traditional place where Real’s coronations are celebrated in Madrid.

Marcelo Vieira in legend

For Marcelo Vieira, this title has a special flavor: replacing Ferland Mendy all season, the Brazilian side surpassed legend Paco Gento on Saturday and his 23 coronations, becoming the player who has won the most trophies within Real Madrid with 24 titles.

After two failures by Mariano Diaz with a header (13^and22^and), the Madrid veteran served his young Brazilian compatriot Rodrygo, who opened the scoring (33^and) and the way to the title at Real Madrid, before doubling the lead just before the break (44^and), still law.

And on returning from the locker room, Marco Asensio increased the gap at the conclusion of a counter (55^and). Isco’s goal (72^and) was canceled for an offside position, but Karim Benzema had time to score the fourth, on a hand-in from Vinicius (81^and), to come within two goals of legend Raul and his 323 goals.

With this new trophy, Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday became the first coach in history to win the five major football championships: he won in Italy with AC Milan (2004), in England with Chelsea (2010), in France with Paris (2013) and in Germany with Bayern (2017), before reigning over Spain. The 62-year-old Italian wizard has brilliantly taken up the heavy torch left by Zinedine Zidane. Winner of the last La Liga won by Real Madrid at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, “Zizou” left last summer, tired of criticism and a lack of support from leaders.

“If I cry, it’s because I’m happy”

With his know-how, Ancelotti managed to build a healthy frame. He kept a backbone of experience with Thibaut Courtois, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema, and crafted a winning cocktail, with the hatching of Vinicius and Eduardo Camavinga, the confirmation of Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy.

“It’s the first time I’ve won a title at the Bernabéu, and the atmosphere is really something special. My tears, it’s genetic. My father was also easily moved, my grandfather too… If I cry, it’s because I’m happy »slipped “Carletto”, very moved at the final whistle.

Under his orders, Real took first place in the 3^and championship day on August 28, and never left it to end up making it his throne.

Real now dream bigger. The club are aiming to overthrow Manchester City on Wednesday at the Bernabéu after a breathless 4-3 first leg to reach the final and give themselves a chance to add a fourteenth continental crown to their collection.