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    The UCL nights we grew up watching
    Real Madrid

    The UCL nights we grew up watching


    I’d give anything to rewatch these early 2010s UCL nights.

    Before Fabrizio, social media, and constant digital exposure. You would maybe discuss with your classmates, play the matchup on FIFA, or see magazines in local stores. But when those UCL nights approached, everything went quiet. The anticipation you felt for your team.

    The players we had were world class, and you would see so much flair, technique, and personality in every single position. It was almost impossible to choose a favourite. Cristiano Ronaldo in his prime, Higuain, Di Maria, Khedira, Alonso, Ramos, and Marcelo. Hearing your relatives argue about Mourinho and Guardiola. YouTube compilations of Kaka making everything look effortless, and being one of the fastest players in football

    Everything felt on edge. The competition was brutal. In Spain we were facing the best Barcelona of all time, and in Europe you were always scared of teams like Bayern, Chelsea, and Inter. You went into every season hoping, not expecting.

    When we lose today, you see social media banter, rivals trolling, and immediate transfer news shared by Fabrizio or Madrid accounts. You directly start talking about the next season and which new players or coach to get.

    Losing felt heavy. Players crying, Mourinho on his knees on the sideline. The Champions League felt career defining, and everyone dreamed about it before La Decima. Maybe the threepeat, and winning in 2022 and 2024, has made us a bit desensitised.

    Back then it felt like the biggest thing in the world



    by Agreeable-Stage-6896

    View 9 Comments

    9 Comments

    1. Future_Clue6245 on

      Man… I still got PTSD from that loss on pens against Bayern in 2012, man. Still my most favourite season ever though. The kits (white, black and the red one), the 100+ points in the league, the UCL run too which we only lost on pens. It was magical to me.

      Nice caption by the way, brother. Miss those times too. So simple. Used to go out with the buddies to the local pub and watch the matches. Now we’re all grown up. We’re all doing our own shit. Man… this hit deep for me.

    3. Aaaaaaandyy on

      This is some serious revisionist history, if you think this was before people like Fabrizio and social media it’s because you were too young to use it or see it. All of that stuff was completely around and prevalent during that time.

    5. No_Access_8734 on

      These were special moments but for me nothing compares to early 2000’s football. The game was just different back then, so much more passion.

    7. jedifolklore on

      I think this year and the year after with Dortmund were some of the most formative years you could ask for as a Madridista. Losing to the German clubs was gut wrenching.

      There wasn’t the need to constantly feel like you had to support one faction over the other, the club and the fans were all chasing to get La Décima, whilst claiming the top spot against Barcelona.

      I fully echo your sentiment with the recent wins. I remember when La Décima was won, I felt elated and the next day you watch the celebrations at Cibeles and you know it’s real. Of all the Champions Leagues in recent memory 2014 was my favourite because of this. Especially after beating Bayern emphatically. This was a decade in the making, the memes, seeing your eternal rival absolutely destroy world football and you were wondering when it was your turn.

    8. Kavazou77 on

      The kids in this sub would be shocked at the treatment Ronaldo and Benzema would get after UCL losses back then.

      Tony Kroos especially was hated in the years post three peat for bringing too soft and slow.