Below are Ronsero’s views:
The Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium worthy of the 22nd century, is already an iconic and spectacular venue in its own right. However, Florentino Pérez understands that a comprehensive renovation is crucial to transform it into a cash cow for the club’s future—and this is the fundamental way to maintain the club’s financial health. In the past, the Santiago Bernabéu also benefited from a similar approach, thanks to the now-defunct Ciudad Deportiva (Sports City). The far-sightedness of these two club presidents has made Real Madrid a role model both in terms of on-field performance and institutional management.
The pandemic actually accelerated the construction progress, as the team was able to play behind closed doors at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. Since spectators returned to the stands, however, the Bernabéu has consistently maintained a capacity of at least 45,000 to 50,000 fans. This is nothing short of an architectural marvel: workers had to complete heavy-duty work the day before each match, removing cranes and heavy materials to clear the access routes. It was in this context that Real Madrid claimed their legendary 14th Champions League title, leaving behind iconic images—with the South Stand and Paseo de la Castellana Stand adorned with giant banners—as the backdrop to their epic comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Today, the Bernabéu has become a feast and delight for fans from all five continents. Barça attempted to emulate this model by building a "Super Camp Nou", but facts have proven that this endeavor has so far ended in a fiasco. A Barça vs Valencia match had to be played in front of just 6,000 spectators at the Estadi Johan Cruyff—this kind of damage to the club’s image cannot be ignored, and it raises a thought: all too often, trying to cut corners ends up costing more in the long run...
