Real Madrid is a Spanish professional soccer club based in Madrid.Matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid are known as "El Clasico" (the Classics) and are watched throughout Spain because the two teams symbolize the political and cultural tensions between Castile (Real) and Catalonia (Barcelona). Since the late 1990s, Real Madrid has invested huge sums of money to attract some of the world's most famous foreign players to the club, whom they refer to as "superstars.These players are often acquired for the highest transfer fees in the world and include such stars as David Beckham, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, and James Rodriguez.Real Madrid played in various stadiums until the ambitious club president Santiago Bernabeu led the construction of a stadium bearing his name.Real Madrid won the first championship, defeating Stade de Reims of France in the final.Real Madrid's local rival is Atletico Madrid, but the club's biggest rival is FC Barcelona.Kylian Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain after the 2023-24 season to join Real Madrid.Known for its bright white uniforms, Real Madrid is one of the most famous teams in the world.Real Madrid has its origins in the Sky Football Club, which was founded in Madrid in 1897.Real Madrid has won 36 La Liga titles.They have also won the Copa del Rey 20 times, the Spanish Super Cup 13 times, and the UEFA Cup twice, in 1985 and 1986.The club was officially founded in 1902 and joined the Spanish Royal Football Federation in 1909.The European Cup was first held in the 1955-56 season, with the winning club from that country's league participating.The European Cup was played in 1955-56.