Hala Madrid: The Popular Anthem of Spanish Football Club Real Madrid
Spanish giants Real Madrid are considered to be the royal team of Spain. Be it the trophies or star signings, or the life outside of the football pitch for players, Real Madrid has been the ultimate destination for many players. Over time, you must have seen many star players arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu and leaving their mark as one of the marquee players of their era. From Spanish forward Raul from the Galacticos era to the legendary career of Cristiano Ronaldo, the stadium has witnessed greatness for a long time.
Along with the history of the club, one of their chants, Hala Madrid, is especially known worldwide due to the wavelengths it carries. The spirited chant, deeply woven into the identity of the club, transcends mere words and functions as a unifying cry of pride and victory.
In this post, we will take a look at everything you need to know about the famous “Hala Madrid” chant.
What does Hala Madrid Mean?
Like the loyal fans of every club all over the world, the Madridistas like to come up with catchy songs and chants to spur their team on. However, there are times when just a couple of words can do the trick. In the case of the club with the highest UCL trophy count, it is “Hala Madrid.” The meaning of the Spanish phrase is ‘Go Madrid’ or ‘Forward Madrid’. Moreover, it can also be taken as ‘Come on, Madrid.’ It is basically an exclamation of encouragement and support used by the loyal fans of Los Blancos.
It is something of a battle cry and is generally used by the players themselves as well. In the context of a football match, the term “hala” has a close meaning to the Spanish word “vamos”. It translates to “come on”. It is not a secret anymore that you will see the hashtag #HalaMadrid commonly on the social media channels of Real Madrid. Moreover, this hashtag is also used by football fans across the world. If we are to find similarities, the French Allez has the same meaning as this famous chant.
The Cultural Significance of the Song
There is no doubt that Hala Madrid is more than just a chant. It serves multiple functions. The chant is sung right before and during the matches to get the team going and motivate the players all while intimidating the rivals the team is playing against. Hala Madrid is a chant that connects millions of fans from different cultures, backgrounds, and languages under one banner. It is indeed a celebration of identity as it is a declaration of pride, loyalty, and belonging.
Over time, the chant has become a central part of the matchday rituals. From the moment the stadium is filled with fans to the last 10 minutes after the full-time whistle, the Santiago Bernabeu will always be buzzing with the Hala Madrid chant.
The Origin and Rise of the Hala Madrid Song
There are many sports teams who have slogans and anthems along with some mottos. It goes without saying that there are some who are better than the others. It can certainly be said for the Hala Madrid chant of Real Madrid. While we see players and the fans chanting this to get the team going, it was back in 2002 when Real Madrid started embracing the chant. The tune and the lyrics were crafted to celebrate the centenary of the club.
Composed by Jose Maria Cano, who is a former member of Mecano, the anthem was created to express the legacy and royalty of the club. The chant was recently tweaked back in 2014 after Real Madrid’s 10th UEFA Champions League Title. It was changed to “Hala Madrid y Nada Mas”.
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How It Became the Popular Anthem for Real Madrid Fans
Steven G. Mandis, the former president of Santiago Bernabeu, decided to take action upon the realization of the significance of rituals and traditions. Therefore, he commissioned the anthem to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the club in 1852. The lyrics were penned down by Luis Cisneros Galiane, and Jose de Aguilar was the voice behind the song. There are couple of strong reasons why this chant particularly been popular amongst the fans. The chant is first played during crucial matches and ceremonies and gotten immediate emotional traction.
The involvement of a world-renowned artist like Plácido Domingo gave the anthem the reach it needed to become famous and viral among Madridistas across the whole world. Moreover, the chant being short, two words precisely, is a compelling reason behind its popularity. The integration into Real Madrid’s culture was enduring and organic. Today, the tune is synonymous with the club’s all-white kit and the crest. The most beautiful thing is that this song is something that the current Madrid fans’ generation can pass on to the next, who will grow up loving the club while learning the song and understanding the meaning and history of every word.
Hala Madrid Song and Lyrics
Now, let us get to what you were waiting for: the lyrics of the song. Well, to make it simple for you, we have taken the liberty to give you the Hala Madrid lyrics both in Spanish and English.
In Spanish
Historia que tu hiciste
Historia por hacer
Porque nadie resiste
Tus ganas de vencer
Ya salen las estrellas
Mi viejo Chamartin
De lejos y de cerca
Nos traes hasta aqui
Llevo tu camiseta
Pegada al corazon
Los dias que tu juegas
Son todo lo que soy
Ya corre la saeta
Ya ataca mi Madrid
Soy lucha soy belleza
El grito que aprendi
Madrid Madrid Madrid
¡Hala madrid!
Y nada mas
Y nada mas
¡Hala Madrid!
In English
The history you’ve made
The history you’ll make!
Because no one can resist
Your willingness to win!
The stars are now coming out!
My old Chamartin…
From far away and from nearby
You gather us all here!
I wear your shirt
Right next to my heart!
The days you play
Are everything I am!
The Arrow is running!
The Arrow is running!
My Madrid is attacking!
I am struggle! I am beauty!
The cry I learned:
Madrid! Madrid! Madrid!
Hala Madrid!
And nothing more!
And nothing more!
Hala Madrid!
As we have mentioned, this chant is more of a battle cry for Los Blancos fans and is often sung by the Real Madrid faithful when trying to get the team and the crowd going through tough moments in a game. Every world in the lyrics reminds the heritage and the rich history that is imprinted in each brick that built the Santiago Bernabeu and the Real Madrid CF club.
Hala Madrid Y Nada Mas and What Does It Mean to Fans
There is hardly any football fan in the world who is not aware of the dominance of Real Madrid. Be it the league titles or performing at the highest stages in European competitions, Real Madrid is the most dominant club in every competition they play. If you believe that the legacy and history of the club is only about the trophies and the best players playing for the team, you would be terribly wrong. Real Madrid is a club of the highest stature in terms of accolades, legendary players, and traditions.
One of them in particular comes in a single “Hala Madrid y Nada Mas”. The phrase in particular means “Go Madrid and Nothing More.” It carries a total devotion to the club, implying that Real Madrid is not just a team, but a way of life. Considering a fan’s perspective, it means unwavering loyalty. It means Real Madrid above everything else. Throughout wins and losses, the song is a reminder of the shared emotional journey between the fans and the players.
We have often seen the fans and the players come out and say that the phrase gives them the chills when the whole stadium erupts with this chant.
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FAQs
Why do fans say Hala Madrid?
The fans say Hala Madrid as a way to cheer on and show support for the club. It is a unifying chant that embodies passion, club pride, and encouragement.
How do you say Hala Madrid?
If you are looking for the right pronunciation, it is Ah-la ma-DRID! The emphasis will be on the second syllable of Madrid.
What does Vamos, El Real Madrid mean?
Vamos El Real Madrid means “Let’s go Real Madrid” in Spanish. It is a chant to rally up the crowd and the team.
Who is the man behind composing the Hala Madrid song?
The original anthem was composed by Jose Maria Cano in 2002. The 2014 version, Hala Madrid y Nada Mas, was tweaked with the assistance of the media team of Real Madrid and performed by Placido Domingo.
Is Hala Madrid an official anthem?
Yes, the Hala Madrid y Nada Mas is the official anthem of the club and it is played at the Santiago Bernabeu right before matches and during major celebrations.
When do fans sing Hala Madrid?
Fans sing Hala Madrid before and during the matches and trophy celebrations.
Can non-Spanish fans sing Hala Madrid?
The anthem transcends language. All the international fans can proudly sing the song to support their beloved club.