Interview with Real Madrid’s Emilio Butragueño: ‘Bayern always bring out the best in us’

Emilio Butragueño is a Real Madrid legend and currently the club’s director of institutional relations. Speaking to members’ magazine ‘51’, the 62-year-old talks about magical European nights, the European Clásico against Bayern and why matches against Munich demand the very best.

Interview with Emilio Butragueño

Emilio Butragueño, you once said how, as a 10-year-old boy, you used to watch Real Madrid matches with your father in the stand behind the goal, perched on the shoulders of the adults. How did that shape you?
“My father had been a member of Real Madrid since 1943. And he made me a member straight after I was born. We had season tickets for the second tier. But for the European Cup matches, we were in the Fondo Norte behind the goal. It was simply incredible. I’ll never in my life forget everything I experienced there. My passion for our club was born there. On those unforgettable European evenings… Those comebacks when Real were trailing.”

Comebacks that you yourself would be part of as a player a few years later.
“I was lucky enough to move from the stands onto the pitch and become part of that history myself. When Madrid fall behind, you see what makes Real Madrid special. The team never gives up; they fight until the very last moment. I played against Bayern twice in the 1980s. In both matches we were three goals down and fought until the end. In 1987, Bayern qualified for the final; in 1988, we won the quarter-final. We were 3-0 down in Munich. I remember it well. It was early March, and it snowed throughout the match. In the final minutes, we reduced the deficit to 3-2, and in Madrid we sealed our place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win.”

What makes Bayern such a formidable opponent?
“They’re a very tough opponent. Bayern is a club that fields a strong team competing at the very highest level and has a wealth of experience. Without a doubt, they’re a great club that’s always among the frontrunners and always aiming for the title in Europe.”

Real Madrid against Bayern is always referred to as the European Clásico. Is that accurate?
“We’ve faced each other so often – at least once every decade. I believe these matches deserve the title of European Clásico. For many decades, both Real Madrid and Bayern have been title contenders in Europe. We have great respect for the club. Bayern has certainly played its part in the growth of football worldwide, just as we have. It’s an honour for us to play against Bayern.”

What are your memories of the last encounter in 2024?
“They were two close games again. In Munich, we drew 2-2. And at the Bernabéu, we were behind but managed to come back in the final minutes. It’s always very difficult against Bayern. They’re a team that always brings out the best in us. They have excellent players in every position. Both clubs always want to win and are known for their attacking football. We’ll have to put in a very complete performance if we’re to get a result against them.”

Madrid are having a mixed season, with strong performances such as in the round of 16 against Manchester City and surprising defeats against a second-tier side in the cup. Where do you see the team ahead of the clash with Bayern?
“We’re going into the quarter-finals with big ambitions, without forgetting that – as always – it will be very tough. Real Madrid always try to rise to the occasion. That’s one of the constants in our history. It’s true, we’ve had major problems this season. We’ve had a lot of injuries, and coach Álvaro Arbeloa took over the team midway through the season. Álvaro has taken on a huge challenge. And we’re very pleased with how he’s handling it. His work is yielding good results, and he’s compensated well for the many absences. The team has managed to become very competitive again.”

Before the season, Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, who formed the heart of Real’s midfield for many years, left the club. Did you underestimate the impact of this change?
“Real Madrid always strive for victory and success, no matter which players we have. We don’t complain. Are there changes? Of course, just like every year. Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić are football legends. They were the best in the world in their positions. It’s an honour that they played for us. Between them, they’ve won no fewer than six European Cups. But even the greats have to call it a day at some point. That’s football, and that’s life. The club has to find solutions with other players to remain competitive. That’s the process we’re in. And here we are, in the quarter-finals.”

Real Madrid isn’t just a great football club, but also a major business. To understand this, you need only look at the new stadium.
“We’re very proud of the stadium refurbishment. It was inaugurated in 1947. We’ve been at home here ever since. It’s undoubtedly a landmark of the city of Madrid. Our president made a good decision in having the stadium refurbished to make it one of the best in the world. This refurbishment and the opportunities it offers will help us to remain competitive.”

What does Real Madrid stand for? For the city, for Spain, or has the club long since become a global brand that transcends all of that?
“Real Madrid is, first and foremost, a way of understanding life. Real Madrid is a passion that unites hundreds of millions of people all over the world. That is our strength; that is what defines us. We try to nurture that so that it grows. That’s our goal. Of course, we’re ambassadors for our city and our country, but we’re also ambassadors for football itself. Throughout its history, Real Madrid has made a significant contribution to football becoming what it is today – the great global sport.”

You’ve been following football for several decades. A lot has changed. What’s still the same as it was when you first went to the stadium?
“The passion and excitement I felt when I went to the stadium with my father as a five- or six-year-old. I still see that today in the children, holding their fathers’ hands. That passion is the driving force behind Real Madrid and sport.”