The Real Madrid Santiago Bernabéu Stadium 2001/02 - 2021/22 First Team Locker #9 | Fernando Morientes, Ronaldo, Roberto Soldado, Javier Saviola, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema

This locker has come directly from Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. This locker was removed during the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium renovation following the conclusion of the 2021/22 season.

Sotheby’s is proud to present Real Madrid First Team Locker #9. This lot includes the individual locker, which was disassembled during the 2022 renovation of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and reassembled following its removal. The locker features a replica jersey and life size photo of the player that most recently used the locker during the 2021/22 season. 

The players that used this locker are as follows:

-Fernando Morientes (2001/02 - 2003/04)

-Ronaldo (2003/04 - 2006/07)

-Roberto Soldado (2007/08)

-Javier Saviola (2008/09)

-Cristiano Ronaldo (2009/10)

-Karim Benzema (2010/11 - 2021/22)

The Real Madrid First Team Locker Room was organized by squad number, which often reflected a player’s position. Locker #9 was home to the man that donned the #9. A classic #9 must possess a combination of strength, speed, and positioning, often thriving on crosses, through balls, and finding space behind defenders. Among a star studded lineup of lockers, this shines the brightest. Between 2001/02 and 2021/22, some of the most famous #9s in the world suited up for games in this locker. Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo each spent time in the locker from the early to late 2000s, and Karim Benzema occupied it for all of the 2010s. 

Ronaldo (2003/04 - 2006/07)

Brazil’s Ronaldo, known as Fenômeno ('The Phenomenon') and R9, joined Real Madrid in 2002 fresh from lifting his second World Cup with Brazil. At Real Madrid, Ronaldo dazzled fans from 2002 to 2007 as part of the club's first "Galácticos" era. Wearing the iconic #9 shirt, he scored 103 goals in 177 appearances for the club. Known for his incredible ability to glide past defenders and his lethal finishing, he helped Madrid win the La Liga title in 2006/07 before he departed midway through that season. Though his time in Madrid was interrupted by injuries, Ronaldo's charisma, skill, and consistent goal-scoring made him a beloved figure at the Bernabéu, and he remains a Madrid legend. 

Cristiano Ronaldo (2009/10)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2009/10 season at Real Madrid marked the beginning of a legendary era, as he arrived with a world-record transfer fee of €94 million from Manchester United. Expectations were sky-high, and Ronaldo wasted no time making an immediate impact. In his only season wearing the #9, Ronaldo scored 33 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions, a stunning return that laid the foundation for his prolific career in Madrid. 

Karim Benzema (2010/11 - 2021/22)

Karim Benzema is one of the most complete and versatile forwards of his generation. At Real Madrid, Benzema’s career blossomed into greatness. Spanning from 2009 to 2023, he scored 354 goals in 648 appearances, becoming the club’s second all-time top scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Initially playing a supporting role to stars like Ronaldo, Benzema’s selflessness and playmaking ability made him a perfect partner, helping Madrid win numerous titles, including five UEFA Champions League trophies and four La Liga titles. After Ronaldo's departure in 2018, Benzema evolved into the team's leader, becoming their primary goal-scorer and captain. His standout season came in 2021-2022, where he led Madrid to La Liga and Champions League triumphs, earning him the Ballon d'Or in 2022.

A portion of the proceeds from this sale will go to The Real Madrid Foundation - committed to encouraging the education of children and teenagers; promoting the social inclusion of the most vulnerable members of society, and building a world-class memorabilia programme for the club and its fans. 

Going Deeper - Real Madrid 

Among European club football royalty, Real Madrid reigns as king. Born in 1902, this Spanish powerhouse has transcended the world of football, not just as a team but as a global symbol. Nicknamed Los Blancos for their pristine white kits, Real Madrid is synonymous with grandeur. Throughout the club’s storied history, Real Madrid has dominated football domestically and across Europe - their 36 La Liga titles are the most of any Spanish club and 15 Champions League (formerly known as the European Cup) crowns stand as a European record. Today, Los Blancos is the most widely supported club football team in the world, as well as the most valuable. 

Real Madrid’s dominance on the pitch is attributed to era-defining superstars, or Galacticos. Club heroes like Alfredo di Stefano of Argentina and Ferenc Puskás of Hungary brought international acclaim to the Spanish side when the two legends started winning European Cups in the 1950s. Real Madrid is credited with shaping the modern European club footballing landscape, largely due to the man at the helm during that time, former club President and player Santiago Bernabéu. Under his leadership, Real Madrid became the powerhouse that would dominate European football for decades. He spearheaded the construction of the now-iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a colossal arena that would become the fortress of dreams.

Opened in 1947, the Santiago Bernabéu was the brainchild of the visionary club president, Bernabéu himself. He envisioned a stadium that would reflect the ambition of the club, a football cathedral capable of housing the passion of Real Madrid’s ever-growing legion of fans. Originally named the Nuevo Estadio Chamartín, it was soon renamed in honor of the man who transformed it into a symbol of the club’s ambition.

With a seating capacity of over 80,000, the Bernabéu is more than just a place to watch football—it’s a cauldron. The roar of the crowd feels almost mythical as if the very soul of Madrid reverberates through every chant. Under its floodlights, Real Madrid has won countless titles, from domestic triumphs to European conquests, with 15 Champions League titles etched into its walls. Walking into the stadium is like stepping into a living museum of football, a hallowed ground that has felt the boots of legends—Di Stéfano, Zidane, Ronaldo, Ramos, and countless others.

And yet, the Bernabéu is always evolving, a fitting metaphor for a club that never stands still. With recent renovations, it’s being transformed into a venue on the razor’s edge of football for the modern era—complete with a retractable roof, new technology, and increased capacity to further cement its place as one of the greatest stadiums in the world.

As the Bernabéu transitioned to its most recent iteration, the old first-team changing room was removed, but preserved as a reminder of the greatness that stood within it. The lockers were used continuously for 2 decades, from the 2001/02 season through the 2021/22 season. From Figo, Zidane, Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and Karim Benzema, these lockers spanned the two modern Galacticos eras and arguably one of the most successful continuous periods of any football club. Over the course of the locker room's use, Real Madrid clinched 7 La Liga championships, 6 Champions League titles, 2 Copa del Rey victories, and 7 Supercopas de España - one of the most dominant runs in club football history.

The Galacticos 

Central to Real Madrid’s success in the 21st century is their aggressive transfer and spending strategy known as the ‘Galacticos Policy’, which was implemented by Club President Fiorentino Pérez when he was elected in 2000. Pérez's philosophy was to build a team of superstar players to increase Madrid’s success and brand visibility worldwide. Each summer, he brought in a marquee signing, creating a team of international superstars.

The first major signing of the Galácticos era was Luís Figo from archrival FC Barcelona for a world-record $67 million in 2000. Pérez followed up by breaking the record again in 2001, signing French superstar Zinedine Zidane for $83 million. The following summer, Brazil’s Ronaldo joined for $48 million, fresh off his 2002 World Cup victory. These signings brought success on the field, as Real Madrid won La Liga in 2000/01 and 2002/03 and claimed the Champions League title in 2001/02, with Zidane scoring the game-winning goal in the final. In 2003, Real Madrid added David Beckham from Manchester United, and his arrival extended the club's brand globally, blending football with entertainment and celebrity culture. While they captivated fans with their talent and charisma, the focus on high-profile signings also led to an imbalance in the team, with critics arguing that defensive stability was sacrificed for attacking talent. Despite notable defender signings in Sergio Ramos and Fabio Cannavaro, it was too little, too late. The team struggled with consistency and fell short of dominating Europe, leading to the dissolution of the first Galácticos project by 2006 when Pérez resigned.

The Galacticos Reborn

Despite the Galacticos commercial success, the squad failed to capitalize on any momentum on the pitch after their first few successful campaigns in the early 2000s. Real Madrid continued to struggle in the Champions League in the mid-late 2000s, getting knocked out in the Round of 16 six seasons in a row. The second Galácticos era began when Pérez returned to the presidency in 2009, renewing his ambition to make Madrid a powerhouse both on and off the field. The era kicked off with the record-breaking signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for €94 million, quickly followed by Kaká from AC Milan. In the same summer, Pérez also brought in Karim Benzema from Lyon and Xabi Alonso from Liverpool, creating a foundation of attacking flair and midfield control. A few years later, Gareth Bale arrived from Tottenham for a new record fee, forming the famous "BBC" trio alongside Ronaldo and Benzema.

This era didn’t solely focus on marquee players. Pérez also emphasized strategic signings like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, who balanced the team’s attacking power with midfield creativity and control. Additionally, Madrid developed young talents and promoted from within, nurturing players like Raphaël Varane and Casemiro, who would become essential to the team's success.

This era was defined by an unprecedented level of success, particularly in the UEFA Champions League, as Madrid claimed 4 UEFA Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), including an historic three-peat from 2016 to 2018. Domestically, they won 2 La Liga titles (2012, 2017), 2 Copas del Rey (2011, 2013), and 2 Supercopa de Espana (2012, 2017). The second Galácticos era left a lasting legacy for Real Madrid, defining them as the standard for European excellence.