The Footballing Microscope: Madrid

All across the footballing landscape, whether that be in England, Germany or Italy, teams are based up and down the country. You would need to travel around the nation to fully take it in. However, in Spain, you can quench your football thirst all within the capital of Madrid. 

The capital city of Spain, known for its elegant boulevards, manicured parks and a rich selection of arts, holds host to an incredible 13 football teams from the La Liga to the Segunda Division B alone. In the Tercera Division, Spain’s fourth tier, there is a whole league made up of 20 teams from the 2,000 square mile city.

You are all accustomed to Real and Atletico Madrid; superpowers in European football, let alone Madrid, but what about the other 11 sides that go out every week for 90 minutes battling it out for those sacred 3 points? It seems with the mega-success of Real & Atletico, teams such as Getafe, Leganes and Rayo Vallecano (to name a few) have lost their Madrid identity.

However, if you hold Madrid under a microscope, you’ll see something quite special. You’ll see past the glitz and glam of the Galacticos and Atleti to find some quite incredible clubs with just as powerful stories. I’ve taken it on myself to share some of these with you.

Rayo Vallecano

Deep in the shadow of Real and Atletico Madrid, there is a lightning bolt that can seldom be seen. I am referring to the little brother of Real & Atleti, Rayo Vallecano, who have a lightning bolt in the middle of their crest. Unfortunately, the little brother, or ‘el hermanito’, haven’t lived up to its fellow Madrileno’s but still has a history to be proud of.

Forming in 1924, there is little knowledge of the club’s early history up until 1949 when they agreed with the ‘middle child’ Atleti to adapt their strip. They did so by taking inspiration from Argentinian outfit River Plate – which they still don today.

It was when they gained promotion to the Primera Division in 1977 that they would have their moment in the Madrid spotlight. Their first-ever season in the top flight was a resounding success. Coach, Hector Nunez guided the Vallecano players to a comfortable 10th place, but it was how they did so that captured the attention. Affectionately nicknamed “Matagigantes” (Giant Killers), they recorded wins over Real, Atleti & Barcelona all in their debut season.

The show of passion amongst the Rayo Vallecano players

In the 90s they were the perennial yo-yo team; they were promoted four times in the ten year period. The peak of the club’s history so far came in 2001, when they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup – a competition they have not featured in since. After asserting themselves as too good for the Segunda Division but not at the quality of the Primera Division, it was a shock to see Rayo slip down into the third division after successive relegations in 2002/03 and 2003/04.

Returning to the La Liga after 8 years away, they would go onto stay in the Primera Division for five years; the longest spell in the club’s history. In its fifth season, the club promoted the idea of “I am a Rayista, I am in solidarity” which earnt them worldwide plaudits as they released the popular rainbow slash kit to show their support for LGBT rights. The club wanted to recognise the immense work of ‘the anonymous heroes of society’.

Although Vallecano may not be enduring their most successful period on the pitch, currently finding themselves in the Segunda Division, they certainly shine elsewhere. The club’s message and their ideas are mirrored in their ultras, the Bukaneros, who are known for their anti-racism & anti-fascism protests. Rayo Vallecano is said to be the last neighbourhood club; a club that represents the working-class barrio.

Even though the ‘little brother’ may not have the trophies on the wall, they have the respect of the children on the street; that is a metaphor that fits perfectly with the identity of Rayo Vallecano.

Internacional de Madrid

Down in the Segunda Division B is a club that has soared up the football pyramid. Madrid’s newest professional team on the block, Internacional de Madrid, is certainly trying to offer an alternative to the expensive side of Madrid football. Founded in 2002, Inter are slowly developing a selection of teams from youth to reserve sides, creating an atmosphere that aims to breed success in every aspect of the club.

The team from Boadilla in their changed strip

In the club’s 18-year history, it has found it difficult to find a permanent home. From Orcasitas to Dehesa de la Villa, then onto a ten-year stay at Moraleja de Enmedio; Inter hopes they have finally found a long-term home after moving to Boadilla del Monte in 2016/17. Life in the town west of the community of Madrid has only seen success.

In their second season in the town, Inter achieved promotion to the Segunda Division B for the first time in their history and confirmed survival relatively stress-free the following year. The season of 2018/19 was not only memorable for their first season in the third division, but it also meant that Inter would gain entry to the Copa del Rey. Unfortunately, their maiden run in the King’s Cup was ended in the 1st round by fellow-Madrid side, CF Fuenlabrada.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season, they were on course for their highest-ever finish. They sit in 8th, five points off of a playoff spot. The project of getting Inter to the La Liga doesn’t seem too far off; with increasing momentum, who knows where Internacional will be in another 18 years’ time?

Flat Earth FC

Yes, you read that correctly. Probably the most controversial club in the whole of Spain plays their football in the Tercera Division. Unlike most clubs that represent a town or city, Flat Earth is one of the first football club in the world to represent a conspiracy theory.

The Chairman, Javi Poves the former outspoken professional footballer took over fifth division side Mostoles Balompie in 2016. After the club gained promotion to the Tercera Division, Poves made the brave decision to change the club’s identity to that of his belief that the world is indeed flat.

Telling Marca in 2019, “football is the most popular sport and has the most impact worldwide, so creating a club dedicated to the flat earth movement is the best way to have a constant presence in the media.” Poves claims they have supporters in ‘Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Australia, Japan, Kazakhstan and Russia’. There is no doubt Flat Earth is the most recognised Tercera side in the world.

Javi Poves, the club’s enigmatic owner

Everything about the club is dedicated to the theory. From the flat circular earth crest, to the fans chanting songs about the earth being flat; there is no doubt the idea of flat earth runs throughout the club. Also, it probably wouldn’t surprise you if I told you that the mascot was an astronaut.

The only way is up for Flat Earth FC, and Poves believes that if he can grow the club off the pitch then the results will follow on it. You could say Flat Earth is Spain’s equivalent to Hashtag United – just more political.

The next time you go to the footballing city of Madrid, don’t get trapped in the Real & Atletico headlights. Take yourself off and discover these brilliant clubs who manage to thrive in the shadow.

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