It’s that time again when Europe’s biggest soccer clubs prepare to clash on the grand stage. The draw for this season’s Champions League group stages, which took place on August 31st, has certainly lived up to expectations. However, UEFA’s decision to release a promotional video without including one of the highest titleholders in Champions League history, Real Madrid, has infuriated fans.
Los Blancos finds itself in Group C in the draw alongside Napoli, a challenging opponent in the form of the Serie A champions. Still, they have reason to be optimistic as Braga and Union Berlin join the group.?
Fans are outraged as 14-time winner Real Madrid doesn’t feature in the promotional video
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Real Madrid narrowly missed out on winning back-to-back Champions League titles last season, falling to eventual champions Manchester City in the semi-finals. Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, they are determined to make amends and secure their 15th crown. However, before the Champions League action kicks off, fans have voiced their discontent over UEFA’s decision to exclude the 14-time champions from the promotional video.
The omission of Real Madrid from the promotional video has triggered a wave of reactions from fans online. One passionate supporter exclaimed, “WE OWN YOU BY 14 TIMES. WE HAVE CREATED YOU, MOTHER F**KERS!!!!”
WE OWN YOU BY 14 TIMES. WE HAVE CREATED YOU, MOTHER F*U*CKERS !!!! https://t.co/4eoPU9dDtO pic.twitter.com/uy6rgkcIbx
— Mara🤍💜🐍💚 🇪🇦🇬🇧🏴 (@MARblanca7) August 31, 2023
Another fan criticized UEFA, stating, “Not even one video featuring the competition’s top winner. UEFA is garbage.”
Ni 1 solo video del máximo ganador de la competición. La UEFA es una basura. pic.twitter.com/nlSRZPLwOM
— MT (@MadridTotal_) August 31, 2023
Surprisingly, even Premier League powerhouses Chelsea and Liverpool were absent from the promotional video, leaving one fan to quip, “It’s odd seeing City there.“
Where’s Chelsea and where’s Liverpool?? 😭😭
— Nelson👑 (@nelsonhands20) August 31, 2023
It's odd seeing city there
— Akachukwu (@akachukwuu_) August 31, 2023
Perhaps, the most intriguing comment came from a fan who suggested, “Looks like UEFA is still angry.”?
Looks like UEFA is still angry😂
— NaijaMadrid || 🤍🇳🇬 (@NaijaMadrid) August 31, 2023
This referenced the ill-fated European Super League, spearheaded by Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez.
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The European Super League Saga
In 2021 April, 12 of Europe’s most prominent and successful clubs announced their intentions to break away from the existing UEFA competition format and create the European Super League. The founding clubs included AC Milan, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the league folded within 48 hours of its announcement in April, due to widespread outcry from fans, governments, and players. Critics argued that it was an attempt to solidify the clubs’ status and revenue, even for those not performing well on the pitch.
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