MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: General view inside the stadium, as the Real Madrid emblem is seen on the side of the pitch prior to the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 08, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: General view inside the stadium, as the Real Madrid emblem is seen on the side of the pitch prior to the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 08, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
After years of problems with the pitch, Real Madrid now believe that those issues are now a thing of the past, reports MARCA.
For several seasons, the playing surface at the Santiago Bernabeu had become one of Real Madrid’s biggest headaches. Five pitch changes in a single season, paint used to disguise its poor appearance on television and criticism from all sides.
The club had been trying to solve the problem for some time and now, they believe they have finally found an answer.
The Bernabeu begins to put its turf problems behind it
The latest operation was accelerated following the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Commanders, forcing the club to replace the playing surface in just 72 hours to meet the deadline last season. This time, however, there was an important difference.
After establishing that the underlying structure was in good condition, Real Madrid decided to retain the existing turf panels and hybrid stitching system rather than remove everything and start again.
The new grass was installed over the existing base after being cultivated for several months. The variety selected was RyeBlue Deportivo, a high-performance mixture consisting of 50% perennial ryegrass and 50% Poa pratensis.
Real Madrid hoped the combination would provide a definitive solution. The club’s groundskeeping team has since refined the maintenance process, and the results are encouraging.
The Bernabeu is now in a condition that satisfies the club, and there are no plans to make further changes to the playing surface during the season.
General view of the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid Stadium
The Bernabeu pitch issues now considered a thing of the past. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
It is the outcome Real Madrid have been pursuing for years, following a situation that eventually concerned the players themselves.
Major concerts remain the Bernabeu’s outstanding challenge
While the pitch problem appears to have been brought under control, the return of major concerts remains the Bernabeu’s biggest unresolved issue.
Real Madrid have spent months working to address the noise problems that forced them to suspend large-scale concerts.
The work has included soundproofing improvements and other measures designed to prevent noise from escaping the stadium. However, there is still no confirmed date for the return of major events.
Real Madrid believe the work carried out has brought the stadium closer to an optimal level of sound insulation.
Several areas have been reinforced to reduce noise escaping outside, with particular attention paid to entrances, enclosures and other points through which sound waves could travel.
Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid stadium
Real Madrid working to bring back major concerts to the Bernabeu. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The structural soundproofing work is understood to be nearing completion, with final architectural finishing work and official sound-emission tests still outstanding.
In the meantime, Real Madrid are exploring ways to make a return to large-scale events more feasible.
The aim is to make full use of the improvements already completed and establish a model that allows the club to revive an activity that was one of the major commercial attractions of the renovated stadium.
Until that becomes possible, Real Madrid continue to explore other ways of generating revenue from the Bernabeu. Corporate events, award ceremonies, conferences and private celebrations remain among the alternatives.
For Real Madrid, resolving the pitch issue is a significant step forward. Restoring large-scale entertainment to the Bernabeu remains the next major objective.
Real Madrid starlet played for Castilla hours after learning about his grandmother’s death
Joan Martinez of Real Madrid
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
According to AS, Real Madrid youngster Joan Martinez played for Castilla on Friday night with a heavy heart after learning the news of his grandmother’s passing.
Before Real Madrid Castilla’s match against Ibiza yesterday, the young centre-back received devastating news: his grandmother, Matilde, had passed away.
The Merengues’ academy product, however, chose not to share the news publicly, keeping his grief to himself and taking to the pitch without speaking about his loss.
Instead, he played through the grief in what was the toughest match of his life so far, in an act of love, strength and respect for someone who meant so much throughout his life.
A private tribute to his grandmother
As per the report, Martinez wanted the match to serve as an intimate tribute to the person who had been by his side since he first began playing football in his hometown of Alginet, where his family home is based.
Joan Martinez of Real Madrid
Joan Martinez played through grief against Ibiza. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Born on 20 August 2007, he had grown up with her support from his earliest days in the game.
Rather than look for excuses or comfort, he chose commitment. Not simply out of a sense of duty to the club, which would have understood his absence, but also out of a personal desire to honour his grandmother and make her proud once more.
The match ended 1-1, earning Castilla a valuable point against one of the division’s leading sides.
It was a difficult game against a difficult opponent in the most difficult of circumstances but Martinez chose to keep fighting.
Martínez continues to work despite an inconsistent season
The young defender has been doing exactly that throughout the campaign, despite experiencing an unusual situation of his own.
Joan Martinez of Real Madrid
Martinez remains highly rated at Real Madrid. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
After being an undisputed starter last season and regularly featuring under Jose Mourinho with the first team during pre-season, including starting in friendlies against Fiorentina and Ferencvaros, Martinez has endured a more intermittent campaign with Castilla.
The issue has not been his performances, but his playing time. He has become the third-choice centre-back in terms of minutes played, behind Oscar Naasei and Mario Rivas.
But this has not caused Martinez to lower his standards. If anything, he has continued to produce impressive numbers.
He leads the team in several defensive and passing metrics, averaging 1.77 defensive duels won per 90 minutes, 6.2 interceptions, 10.33 recoveries and 53.41 successful passes.