Real Madrid

Player to watch : Théo Maledon

Théo Maledon raised quite a few questions upon his return to Europe. From his 10.1-point average during his rookie season with Oklahoma to a spot on the Phoenix Suns’ bench in 2024, the point guard was coming off a mixed spell in the NBA. Those doubts were quickly dispelled at ASVEL. Ranked among the top 10 scorers in the EuroLeague (C1) last year, the Normandy-born player was the leader of a rather lacklustre team. 

This combination of playmaking and creativity is literally what Real Madrid were missing. Already in the running for the 2025 MVP award, Théo Maledon will now have team success to add to his individual talent. For the first time in his career, our Frenchie will be THE leader of a favourite for the FIBA World Cup title.

Playing style

Sergio Scariolo is very much in keeping with the Real Madrid style. That is to say, a controlled, balanced, intelligent and demanding brand of basketball centred around the cornerstone that is Eddy Tavares.

In attack, the focus is mainly on half-court play, alternating between post play and long-range shooting. Defensively, the guards’ ability to read the game forces opponents into the paint, where the Blancos’ big men await.

But Sergio Scariolo brings a few modern touches to this ‘old-school’ style: versatility, pressure, and even, depending on the rotations, an up-tempo game. These are gradual changes aimed at adapting Real Madrid to the game of today.

Club history

In response to the growing popularity of Real Madrid Fútbol, Ángel Cabrera founded a basketball section within the club in 1931. This pioneer of Spanish basketball quickly established the Casa Blanca as a leading force on the national stage. And once the Civil War was over (1936–1939), the Madrid side racked up titles in the 1950s: multiple Castile champions, five-time winners of the Copa del Rey (including two back-to-back titles), one Copa Latina, one La Liga title, and two consecutive European Cup semi-finals.

Boasting legends such as Sevillano and Brabender, Real Madrid continued their dominance in Spain from 1960 to 1970. With nine out of ten league titles in the decade and two trebles in the Copa del Rey, no other club in Western Europe could match their achievements. In the East, however, the USSR continued to dominate the continent. The Blancos then took advantage of the Soviet teams’ non-participation in 1964 – as they were focused on the Tokyo Olympics – to lift their first European Cup (C1). Better still, they achieved back-to-back titles following a victory over CSKA Moscow (81-88/62-76). A feat repeated in 1967 against Milan (91-83) and then in 1968 against Spartak Brno (98-95).

Few teams have dominated as much in the seventies. We’re talking about 10 consecutive La Liga titles and 5 consecutive Copa del Rey trophies, accompanied by a historic run of 88 consecutive home wins. Beyond Spain, Pedro Ferrandiz’s side excelled in Europe with three finals in three years, including a two-point victory against the giants of the era, namely Ignis Varese (84–82). It was against this very opponent that Real Madrid Baloncesto became the most successful team in the European Champions Cup (C1) following their latest victory in 1979. A status the club still holds today.

Having won two more league titles, Real Madrid faced increased competition in Spain following the creation of the Liga ACB. Although the Madrid side won the first three editions, their success waned over time. Meanwhile, in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid won four titles between 1985 and 1993, picking up the first Spanish Super Cup along the way. On the continental stage, the Spaniards shone more brightly in the European Cup Winners’ Cup (C2) with three triumphs.

Real Madrid, however, entered the end of the millennium on a downward trajectory. The year 1992 marked the start of a new project built around the Lithuanian giant Arvydas Sabonis. Having won two of the last three EuroLeague (C1) campaigns, Željko Obradović joined the Blancos shortly afterwards. And 15 years later, the Madrid side lifted the crown jewel of FIBA competitions in 1995. It was the last title before another lean spell. From 2000 to 2014, the Casa Blanca won four La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, two Spanish Super Cups, and one ULEB Cup (C2). Upon his re-election as club president, Florentino Pérez did not hesitate to invest heavily in the basketball division. Rudy Fernández, Sergio Rodríguez, Jaycee Carroll and Serge Ibaka all signed for the capital club. And after narrowly losing two finals, the Casa Blanca secured their ninth EuroLeague title at home following a 78-59 victory over Olympiacos.

Led by their new star Luka Dončić, Real Madrid Baloncesto swept the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa and the Liga over the next two seasons, before securing their tenth European title. Still dominant in Spain, the Blancos continued to rack up titles on home soil. And in the EuroLeague (C1), their last triumph dates back to 2023. Trailing with three seconds remaining, the evergreen Sergio Lull sank a clutch shot over Youssoupha Fall to secure victory for his side (79-78). The world’s greatest club is far from done collecting trophies.

Zoom : Torneo de Navidad

Unlike the vast majority of sports, basketball doesn’t take a break over the festive season. On the contrary, playing at this time of year has almost become a tradition, much like the ‘NBA Christmas Games’… or the lesser-known ‘Torneo de Navidad’ organised by Real Madrid!

The history of this tournament dates back to 1966. At a time when basketball was in decline on the Iberian Peninsula, Raimundo Saporta – then a senior executive at Real Madrid – decided to create a competition right in the middle of Christmas, bringing together clubs and national teams from all corners of the globe.

Despite its status as a mere ‘Friendly Tournament’, the Torneo de Navidad has continued to grow in importance over the years. A fascinating event, featuring universities such as the University of North Carolina, national teams such as Yugoslavia, and clubs such as Nice.

The competition finally came to an end in 2006, after 41 editions, 36 of which were won by Los Merengues.

The Number : 11

That is the number of EuroLeague titles won by Real Madrid Baloncesto – a record unmatched in Europe.

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