28 years without Raimundo Saporta
On 2nd February 1997, a key figure in Real Madrid’s history passed away.
It has been 28 years since Raimundo Saporta left us. On February 2, 1997, Real Madrid said goodbye to a key figure in our history who, together with Santiago Bernabéu, played a key role in the club's development to become the best in the world. Between 1952 and 1991, he was part of our club becoming vice-president and president of the basketball section. Thanks to his massive contribution to the club, he was also named honorary president.
Along with his impact in building the Real Madrid legend, Raimundo Saporta was instrumental in other fields of Spanish sport, winning numerous awards such as the Gold Medal for Sporting Merit.
Basketball
His importance in this sport was enormous. Before joining Real Madrid, he was a member of the Spanish Basketball Federation and throughout his career he had a significant impact on the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). In his honor, the former European Cup Winners' Cup was named the Saporta Cup, and the basketball pavilion of the former Ciudad Deportiva was named after him. He was 70 years old at the time of his death.