UEFA has already decided where the 2027 Champions League final will be played. The choice once again places Spain's capital at the center of the soccer world. However, with a nuance that hasn't gone over well at Real Madrid.
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium, recently remodeled and one of the most modern venues on the planet, won't be the stage for the most important match of the year.
The announcement has surprised many. The new Bernabéu was on everyone's shortlist to host a final of this caliber, especially after the impressive transformation it has undergone. However, UEFA has chosen another venue in the city, a decision that fuels interpretations and suspicions.
The weight of the Super League
In the club's corridors, people say the decision isn't purely technical. The relationship between Florentino Pérez and UEFA broke off abruptly with the announcement of the Super League project. Since then, the top European soccer body and Real Madrid's president have kept up a standoff that shows itself at every opportunity.
Bernabéu has already hosted Champions League finals and international matches of enormous significance. Its new look, with a retractable roof, removable field, and state-of-the-art technology, made it the perfect candidate for 2027. However, UEFA has chosen to send a clear message.
Hidden punishment
Officially, people will talk about logistical criteria, seating capacity, or venue rotation. However, in Madrid's circles, some see it as a hidden punishment. It can't be ignored that the Super League project was a direct affront to UEFA's monopoly on organizing continental competitions.
Florentino continues to defend the need for a radical change in the model, something that isn't well received in Nyon. When the opportunity comes to award such a high-profile event, UEFA seems to prefer leaving the new Bernabéu out, despite its location in the very heart of the capital.
A final with a taste of grievance
The fact that the final will indeed be played in Madrid, but not in Real's stadium, amplifies the sense of grievance. The other chosen venue doesn't have the history, the comforts, or the significance of Bernabéu. However, it will be the one to host the two best teams in Europe in 2027.
There won't be any official protest statements from the club. The strategy is to keep calm and continue working to defend its project. In the board's circles, the conclusion is clear: this final is a reminder that the war with UEFA remains open.