Real Madrid's iconic all-white kit has been a symbol of footballing supremacy for over 80 years - but Chelsea forced them to change it.
A little-known rule at Stamford Bridge dictates that no away teams can wear white socks. So when the two clubs met in west London for the very first time in the Champions League in 2021, traditions clashed.
This left the Spanish giants with no choice but to swap their usual white socks for a darker alternative. It may seem like a minor detail, but for Real, whose kit has been sacrosanct for decades, this was certainly a concession.
The club's legendary president Santiago Bernabeu, who took office in the early 1940s and after whom Real's iconic stadium is named, decreed that the team would always wear an all-white strip. While white shirts have been worn since the club's inception in 1902, hence their nickname, the colours of both their shorts and socks had occasionally been altered.
Bernabeu made the decisive decision to cement the club's home colours at the start of his 35-year tenure as president. He firmly believed that an all-white kit showcased the club's values of elegance, purity and excellence, and reflected both their rich history and ambitions for glory, for greatness, and for footballing immortality.
But Chelsea's socks rule, which has been in place for approximately half of the club's existence, forced them to switch to black. Prior to the 1964/65 season, legendary Blues manager Tommy Docherty wanted to make a visual statement, signifying a new era at Chelsea, who had just been promoted from Division 2 (now the Championship).
Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid prepares to take a throw in during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023
Real Madrid broke their own tradition when visiting the Bridge (Image: Getty Images)
He swapped the team's white shorts for blue and their blue socks for white, creating a bold, unique look that distinguished Chelsea. The change resonated with fans and seemingly with the players too - who responded by winning the League Cup, only the club's second major trophy at the time, at the end of that very campaign.
From then on, the colours were officially established. Football rules state that opposing teams cannot wear the same colour in any part of their strip, and to ensure that Chelsea's distinctive new look was a permanent feature at Stamford Bridge, Docherty formalised the quirky socks rule.
In reality, it's more than just an eccentric regulation. It serves as a reminder that football, despite its grandeur, is founded on the minutest of details and the silent respect for tradition. It stands as a testament to the power of identity and the pride clubs harbour in their heritage, regardless of how trivial the detail may appear.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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