Utmost performance deserves a reward, a reward that is so befitting that no one ever questions the means to achieving it. In the celebration of victory there’s always that one undoubted sculpture, statue, artefact, or tradition (cibeles) that is always said to have the ability to linger in the memories of the celebrants.
Barcelona celebrates their victories and trophies at Canaletes, the fountain located at the famous La Rambla. Atletico Madrid head to Neptuno to celebrate their victories and trophies, whiles Real Madrid share the memory of their victories and trophies with Cibeles on her chariot – the ancient Greek god of mother earth. Cibeles has become a symbol of hope and celebration for the white angels.
The Plaza de Cibeles is a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become a symbol for the city of Madrid. When Cibeles Fountain was constructed in the centre of Madrid in 1782, nobody knew that a couple of centuries later it would become the meeting point for Real Madrid fans after every trophy win. When Real Madrid secure a major title, fans gather at the fountain to see players wrap a club scarf or flag around the neck of the goddess Cibeles.
It is currently delimited by four prominent buildings: the Bank of Spain Building, the Palacio de Buenavista, the Palace of Linares (“Palacio de Linares”), and the Cybele Palace (“Palacio de Cibeles”). These constructions are located in four different neighbourhoods from three different adjacent districts: Centro, Retiro, and Salamanca.
Regardless of all personal interpretations and meanings one gives to this tradition, it is infact in all likeliness due simply to its central location.
It Is widely believed that the first club to celebrate at the cibeles statue was the city rival Athletico Madrid. Their first and foremost celebration came after Athletico Madrid won the 1962 European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Fiorentina, before fans of both capital city clubs and of the Spanish national team gathered at the fountain for other important victories over the following years.
However, it was during the 1980s, and the era of dominance for Real Madrid’s so-called Quinta del Buitre team, that celebrating at Cibeles cemented itself as a distinctly Real Madrid tradition. They certainly celebrated there a lot, winning five LaLiga Santander titles in a row between 1985 and 1990.
Athletico Madrid trophy drought in the 1980s and Real Madrid’s trophy ‘addiction’ made the goddess a Madridista for life. By the time Athletico Madrid started winning again with a pair of Copa del Rey triumphs in 1991 and 1992, their fans had decided to move their celebrations 500 metres down the Paseo del Prado to Neptuno, ‘Neptune’s Fountain.’ They left Cibeles exclusively to Los Blancos.
When Real Madrid do celebrate there, it’s the captains who have the honor of dressing Cibeles up in club colors after a big win.
A true legend, committed madridista, a great commander and former captain, Sergio Ramos Garcia had the following words to say about the ancient Greek god of mother earth…
“It’s a true platonic love,” Ramos said of his relationship with the statue of the goddess in an episode of Movistar’s Informe Robinson series. “Spending a moment with Cibeles is like when you see your mother again after going two or three months without seeing her. Whenever I drive by the fountain, I sit gazing at the statue for as long as the traffic lights stay red.”
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias and many more captains both currently and to come, will continue to celebrate trophies at the Cibeles fountain. This has become a tradition for all Los Blancos officials, players, and fans.
Hala Madrid, and Nothing More!!