Marcelo and Chus Mateo inaugurate the Semana Blanca of the Universidad Europea-Real Madrid Graduate School

Marcelo Vieira and Chus Mateo took centre stage on the first day of the Semana Blanca for the students at the Universidad Europea-Real Madrid Graduate School. Real Madrid's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, chaired the event, in which the Brazilian legend, who won 25 trophies in 546 appearances for the club, said: “Real Madrid pushes you a lot, it helps you a lot to win these things. Without Real Madrid, it would be impossible. But the way people treated me when I came here at the age of 18 was amazing and to come back after finishing my career here and for things to stay the same is a source of great pride for me.”

“My dream was to play for Real Madrid and I asked myself what I had to do. I told myself that I had to do something different so that they would notice me. And things happened, things worked in my favour when I took the first step and worked hard to achieve it. And my football dream came true. To play for the best club in the world, Real Madrid. Here I have achieved everything.”

Affection from the fans
“I don't feel like a legend, I know that for many people I am an example, a role model for young people. But I feel lucky to be enjoying football, something I've always loved doing since I was a child. Over the years I have seen that it is a source of pride to be a professional player but at the same time it is a very big responsibility, that you are not just there to play, that it is not just about winning or losing. My goal since I started was to create a legacy for young people who are just getting started. I have always enjoyed myself without thinking about being the best. It was always in my mind to have fun and to make people have fun.”

What he learnt at the club
“I learnt a lot of things at this club, such as the values of football players. The issue of responsibility, the image you carry around the world, wherever you go you are still a Real Madrid player. Here they teach you many things. To never give up, to play for your team, to respect others, to treat everyone equally. But nothing is more beautiful than coming back to Real Madrid and having everyone look you in the eyes and give you a hug.”

His most special moment at Real Madrid
“I've experienced many beautiful moments at Real Madrid. But I would say when I won the last Champions League in 2022. When you're at Real Madrid you don't realise what you're winning, what you're doing. When you finish the season you're already thinking about starting the next one, about winning again, which is what they teach you at Real Madrid, to win and win and win. I finished my career at Real Madrid, I looked back at everything I've been through and this last moment, lifting the cup, coming to the Bernabéu, and the affection of the fans. That day I realised that it was my greatest moment at Real Madrid.”

Chus Mateo: “Real Madrid is an elite club”
The Real Madrid basketball coach kicked off the Semana Blanca and spoke about what it means to coach the most successful team in Europe: “I was a Real Madrid fan from an early age. My father used to take me to the Bernabéu to see the games. I always felt that, because of their values, because of what they transmitted, combined with sport, which also transmits values in itself, it was something great. I started at the age of 21 to become part of the ranks of Real Madrid, an elite club, that's how it is for me. Feeling part of this club, and having enjoyed these moments as the first team coach, knowing that deep down you are going to be able to create a memory or a small part of the history of a great club, means a lot to me.”

The demands at Real Madrid
“We always try to pass on that demand to those around us. There are many people who help us to convey that demand; certain leaders in the dressing room can transmit that demand. And here there are values, like that of exigency, that are always transmitted from one player to another; from one coach to another; and I'm sure that's what makes this club great. People may pass, but what remains is Real Madrid. We must always find sound arguments to strive for excellence. Our aim must always be to give our best and fight to the end. Although it may seem like a cliché, this has helped us to win many things. We are a club that inspires a lot of admiration, everyone is waiting to beat Real Madrid and that is because of the greatness that is intrinsic to this club.”

Special moments
“I would say 3 moments. The EuroLeague that we won, which for me is the ultimate that can be achieved in basketball, and the way we did it, which was lovely. Another moment was on 23 December 2021, when, because of Covid, we played a game here against CSKA Moscow and we had six senior players, one with a temperature of 40 and four juniors. I was an assistant coach to Pablo Laso, who was also with Covid, and I was in charge of that game. We were able to win the game with the support of the fans and for them it was a very special EuroLeague gift. The other moment was the last league that Pablo Laso won here. I had a responsibility, which was to take over the team when he had the health issue and when there were four or five games left. It was a relief to get that league when the responsibility was maximum because I was really replacing the head coach at the decisive moment of the season and the desire was to win it for him.”

Other speeches
The first day of the Semana Blanca also featured the involvement of Israel García Álvarez, director of Digital Strategy at Real Madrid, who focused his speech on a real digital transformation that provides results and not just promises. And Ana Rossell, sports director of Real Madrid Femenino, spoke about the strength to continue growing in women's football.