Real Madrid Femenino is a Spanish professional women's football club in Madrid who play in the Primera División, the top tier of Spanish women's football. Founded as the independent Club Deportivo TACÓN in 2014, the club later underwent a merger and acquisition process beginning in 2020, and was rebranded to Real Madrid's women's football department in 2020.
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| Full name | Real Madrid Club de Fútbol Femenino | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Las Blancas (The Whites)[1] | |||
| Founded | CD TACÓN: 12 September 2014 Real Madrid Femenino: 1 July 2020 | |||
| Ground | Alfredo Di Stéfano Madrid, Spain | |||
| Capacity | 6,000 | |||
| Chairman | Florentino Pérez | |||
| Manager | Alberto Toril | |||
| League | Liga F | |||
| 2023–24 | Liga F, 2nd | |||
| Website | https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/football/womens-team/home | |||
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History
edit2014–2019: Club Deportivo TACÓN
editCD TACÓN was founded on 12 September 2014. The name TACÓN (Heel) is an acronym of Trabajo (work) Atrevimiento (dare/bravery) Conocimiento (knowledge) Organización (organisation) Notoriedad (visibility/renown).[2] In their first competitive season, 2015–16, the club only registered an under-14 team. In June 2016, TACÓN announced a merger with CD Canillas for incorporating their women's senior (which had been competing in the second tier for the past three seasons) and under-19 teams.[3]
In their first season at senior level, in the 2016–17 Segunda División, TACÓN finished second in their regional group, below Madrid CFF who won promotion to the Primera División.
Because both TACÓN and Madrid CFF (founded in 2010 by businessman Alfredo Ulloa, a Real Madrid socio - club member - like TACÓN's founder, Ana Rossell)[4] were clubs open to a potential takeover by Real Madrid, a rivalry developed between them.[5] Rosell described the clubs' relations as "cordial" in 2019.[6]
Rossell had petitioned successive Real Madrid presidents, Lorenzo Sanz, Florentino Pérez and Ramón Calderón, to create a women's football section since 1997, but received no official response.[7] According to Rossell, her requests were denied, with club executives citing that a women's section wasn't economically sustainable. In those years, she was a player for Atlético Feminas and Canillas.[7] In 2016, Rossell called publicly for Real Madrid to create a women's football section.[8]
In June 2017 Real Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, claimed that the club would make its own women's team from scratch, and not buy an existing club.[9] Rossell had claimed in 2013 that Pérez was first starting to consider women's football at the club.[10] Real was thus doing so several years or decades later than many other clubs in Europe and in the city of Madrid itself.[11] On El Larguero in 2017, Pérez said “We will definitely have a women’s team,” he said. “We’re working on it, but it will be from the position of a newly formed club, not a team in which we bring the best player from Germany, Brazil… That is not what Madridismo is all about.”
As late as September 2018, Pérez still ruled out having a women's team, as El Confidencial reported: "Florentino did not want to spend on a section that did not guarantee trophies and his agents lied to him about the expenses necessary for him to create it".[12] Women's football was not mentioned at all by Pérez at the club's annual assembly on 23 September 2018,[13] and Oscar Sanz of El País wrote, "Real Madrid has the dubious honor of being, together with Getafe, the only First Division club that has neither had nor has a women's team."[13]
2019: Takeover by Real Madrid
editThis section may be unbalanced toward certain viewpoints. (June 2021) |
After three seasons in the Segunda División, on 19 May 2019, TACÓN achieved promotion to the Primera División.[14]
On 25 June 2019, the Real Madrid CF board of directors announced a proposal of integrating TACÓN as their women's football section to be presented to their socios (members).[15] As part of the agreement, TACÓN would play their 2019–20 season matches at Ciudad Real Madrid during the transition, with the merger being officially completed on 1 July 2020.[16] On 15 September 2019, The Extraordinary General Assembly of Real Madrid approved the absorption of the club.[17] Florentino Perez, speaking at the General Assembly after the vote to absorb was passed, cited that TACÓN's youth system was the reason why it was chosen as the base for the women's team, thus striving to stay true to Real Madrid's philosophy of developing Spanish talent.[17]
2019–2020: Transition year
editHaving been promoted, the club went on to lose a large majority of its playing squad in the summer of 2019. Argentine midfielder Ruth Bravo moved to Rayo Vallecano, while others like Lixy, Marbel Okoye and Yamilla Badell did not have their contracts renewed. In order to strengthen for the coming season, the club saw the arrival of Swedish duo Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson; French midfielder Aurélie Kaci from Atlético Madrid, Ainoa Campo from Madrid CFF, English forward Chioma Ubogagu, goalkeeper Ana Valles Nigerian defender Osinachi Ohale, as well as the Brazilian pair Daiane and Thaisa Moreno, who was nominated for best midfielder in her lone year at A.C. Milan Women. The last signing of the summer was versatile defender Babett Peter from VFL Wolfsburg.[18]
Despite the wealth of talent and experience at their disposal, CD TACÓN's start to the season was nothing short of abysmal, with a heavy loss against Barcelona (9–1) in its debut match,[19] and EDF Logroño particularly standing out. After a poor run with just one win in nine games, the team started to gain a sense of stability in November 2019, going on a five match unbeaten run. TACÓN finished the shortened 2019–20 season in 10th place, with many fans unhappy with how the team had thrown away a 3–0 lead with ten minutes to go and ended up losing 4–3 on home soil in the last match before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Real Madrid Women were also the subject of a documentary series in 2020.[20]
2020–present: Real Madrid Femenino
editOn 1 July 2020, Real Madrid CF released an official communication confirming the completion of the merger, thereby signalling the complete absorption of CD TACÓN, which would then operate as 'Real Madrid' from that date onwards.[21]
The new structure of the section includes a senior team, reserve side similar to Castilla, known as 'Real Madrid Femenino B', an Under-19 team, 'Juvenil' and a 'Cadete' for under-15s and below. The structure already existed under CD TACÓN and has been integrated into Real Madrid's famous La Fábrica.[22] The remaining TACÓN Juvenil and Cadete teams that couldn't be absorbed right away have since been rebranded as 'Fenix Football Club', which in turn merged with CD Masriver in 2021.[23]
Home ground
editDuring the transition season, TACÓN played their home fixtures at Field 11 in Ciudad Real Madrid. The matches were not open to the general public, with only club members, selected away fans and those possessing a membership card, allowed to attend.[24] Following the completion of the merger, and given that the senior men's team was using the Estadio Alfredo di Stéfano, Real Madrid Femenino continued to play their home matches at Field 11. At the start of the 2021–22 season, the women's team have alternated between Field 11 and the Alfredo di Stéfano stadium, initially with a reduced capacity for fan attendance.
Season to season
edit| Season | Division | Place | Copa de la Reina | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As CD TACÓN | ||||
| 2016–17 | 2ª | 2nd | ||
| 2017–18 | 2ª | 1st | ||
| 2018–19 | 2ª | 1st | ||
| 2019–20 | 1ª | 10th | Quarter-finals | |
| As Real Madrid Femenino | ||||
| 2020–21 | 1ª | 2nd | Quarter-finals | |
| 2021–22 | 1ª | 3rd | Semi-finals | |
| 2022–23 | 1ª | 2nd | Runners-up | |
| 2023–24 | 1ª | 2nd | Quarter-finals | |
Record in UEFA Women's Champions League
editAll results (home, away and aggregate) list Real Madrid's goal tally first.
| Season | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | QR2 | Manchester City | 1–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 |
| Group stage | Zhytlobud Kharkiv | 3–0 | 1–0 | 2nd | |
| Breiðablik | 5–0 | 3–0 | |||
| Paris Saint-Germain | 0–2 | 0–4 | |||
| Quarter-finals | Barcelona | 1–3 | 2–5 | 3–8 | |
| 2022–23 | QR1 | Sturm Graz | 6–0 | ||
| Manchester City | 1–0 | ||||
| QR2 | Rosenborg | 3–0 | 2–1 | 5–1 | |
| Group stage | Paris Saint-Germain | 0–0 | 1–2 | 3rd | |
| Chelsea | 1–1 | 0–2 | |||
| Vllaznia Shkodër | 5–1 | 2–0 | |||
| 2023–24 | QR2 | Vålerenga Fotball | 2–1 | 3–0 | 5–1 |
| Group stage | Chelsea | 2–2 | 1–2 | 4th | |
| BK Häcken | 0-1 | 1–2 | |||
| Paris FC | 0–1 | 1–2 | |||
| 2024–25 | QR2 | Sporting CP | 3–1 | 2–1 | 5–2 |
| Group stage | Chelsea | – | 2–3 | – | |
| Twente | 7-0 | 2-3 | |||
| Celtic | 4-0 | – | |||
Players
editCurrent squad
editAs of 14 September 2024[25]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable players
edit- Teresa Abelleira (2020–)
- Ivana Andrés (2020–24)
- Olga Carmona (2020–)
- Maite Oroz (2020–24)
- Kenti Robles (2020–2024)
- Misa Rodríguez (2020–)
- Athenea del Castillo (2021–)
- Caroline Møller (2021–)
- Claudia Zornoza (2021–24)
- Rocío Gálvez (2021–)
FIFA World Cup participants
edit- List of players that were called up for a FIFA Women's World Cup while playing for Real Madrid. In brackets, the tournament played:
- Ruth Bravo (2019)
- Teresa Abelleira (2023)
- Ivana Andrés (2023)
- Linda Caicedo (2023)
- Olga Carmona (2023)
- Athenea del Castillo (2023)
- Naomie Feller (2023)
- Rocío Gálvez (2023)
- Esther González (2023)
- Kathellen (2023)
- Misa Rodríguez (2023)
- Sofie Svava (2023)
- Sandie Toletti (2023)
- Claudia Zornoza (2023)
Records
editAll-time Top 10 scorers
edit| # | Name | Years | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Esther González | (2021–23) | 39 |
| 2 | Caroline Weir | (2022–) | 30 |
| 3 | Athenea del Castillo | (2021–) | 27 |
| 4 | Kosovare Asllani | (2019–22) | 23 |
| Olga Carmona | (2020–) | 23 | |
| 6 | Caroline Møller | (2021–) | 21 |
| 7 | Naomie Feller | (2022–) | 16 |
| 8 | Marta Cardona | (2020–22) | 15 |
| Claudia Zornoza | (2021–24) | 15 | |
| 10 | Signe Bruun | (2023–) | 14 |
Coaches
edit| Coach | Time period |
|---|---|
| CD TACÓN | |
| Marta Tejedor | 2016–18 |
| David Aznar | 2018–20 |
| Real Madrid Femenino | |
| David Aznar | 2020–21 |
| Alberto Toril | 2021–present |
Current coaching staff
edit| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Alberto Toril |
| Assistant coach | Irene Ferreras |
| Goalkeeping coach | Óscar Gaspar |
| Fitness coach | Marcos Chena |
References
edit- ^ Houwen, Jess (23 July 2019). "A Brief Intro To Las Blancas". Managing Madrid. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Club: Historia del CD TACON" (in Spanish). CD TACÓN. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "René Ramos entrará en la directiva del CD TACON femenino" [René Ramos will enter the board of the Women's CD TACON] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 24 June 2016.
- ^ Alexander, María (24 March 2018). "No es el Real Madrid, es el Madrid CFF [It's not Real Madrid, it's Madrid CFF]". El País. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018.
- ^ Garrido, Jesus (30 August 2017). "Guerra abierta entre los dos aspirantes a ser el Real Madrid femenino [Open war between the two applicants to be the female Real Madrid]". El Confidencial. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017.
- ^ "La lucha de Ana Rosell, la gran gestora del futuro Real Madrid femenino" (in Spanish). El Confidencial. 22 June 2019.
- ^ a b Roldan, Isabel (15 October 2013). ""Nadie entiende que el Madrid no tenga equipo femenino" ["Nobody understands that Madrid does not have a women's team"]". AS.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ "Historia por Hacer" (in Spanish). Primavera Blanca. 10 May 2016.
- ^ "El Real Madrid creará un femenino de base y descarta el fútbol sala [Real Madrid will create women's grassroots team and discard futsal]". Palco23.com. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021.
- ^ "Ana Rossell fights for Women's Real Madrid" (in Spanish). VAVEL. 16 October 2013.
- ^ Menayo, David (22 March 2018). "¿Un Real Madrid femenino? Sí, pero no [A female Real Madrid? Yes but no]". AS.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ de la Calle, Fermín (9 September 2018). "Por qué Florentino Pérez descartó un Real Madrid femenino [Why Florentino Pérez ruled out a female Real Madrid]". El Confidencial. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018.
- ^ a b Sanz, Oscar (30 September 2018). "El inexistente Real Madrid femenino [The non-existent female Real Madrid]". El País. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018.
- ^ "El CD TACON, nuevo equipo de la Liga Iberdrola" [CD TACON, new team of Liga Iberdrola] (in Spanish). La Liga. 19 May 2019.
- ^ "Comunicado Oficial" [Official Communication] (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
- ^ "Real Madrid to have women's team after buying Deportivo TACON". BBC Sport. 25 June 2019.
- ^ a b "The Extraordinary General Assembly approves the absorption of Club Deportivo TACON". Real Madrid CF. 15 September 2019.
- ^ "Real Madrid [Women] - Transfers 2019/2020". worldfootball.net. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ^ Train, Rob (7 September 2019). "Barça show TACON a clean pair of heels in nine-goal rout". Diario AS. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- ^ de la Fuente, Anna Marie. "Exile Content, Newtral Co. Producing Docuseries on Real Madrid's Female Soccer Team (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com. PMC. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ "Comunicado Oficial". Real Madrid.com (in Spanish). 1 July 2020.
- ^ "El Real Madrid Femenino tendrá tres equipos de cantera". adnblanco.com (in Spanish). 2 August 2020.
- ^ "La Federación Madrileña ya ha hecho efectiva la fusión entre Real Madrid y CD Tacón". adnblanco.com (in Spanish). 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Quejas al TACON por no vender entradas a público en general" (in Spanish). Diario AS. 5 November 2019.
- ^ "Plantilla de Jugadoras del Real Madrid". Real Madrid CF (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "Claudia Zornoza se une al 'Club de las 100' en el Real Madrid". MARCA (in Spanish). 24 January 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Jiménez, Mireia (5 May 2024). "Møller, 100 partidos con el Real Madrid". Realmadrid.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Rocío, 100 partidos con el Real Madrid". www.realmadrid.com. 9 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
External links
edit- Official website (in Spanish)