By Charles Igwe
On June 2, the Archbishop of Madrid welcomed an extraordinary group of guests as Real Madrid, Europe’s top soccer team, visited St. Mary the Royal of the Almudena Cathedral to present their European championship trophy to the Virgin Mary.
The players made their way to the cathedral shortly after returning from London, where they secured their 15th European Cup with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on June 1.
“Mary welcomes this cup and makes it a blessing for you, your families, for the people of Madrid, and for all those who value the good sport that helps to make the world a better place,” stated Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid. In a cathedral filled with people, the cardinal congratulated the team on their achievement, emphasizing its significance for both the players and the city.
Cardinal Cobo praised the players and coaches for their dedication and hard work. He highlighted sport as a means to showcase talent and build society, teaching the value of fraternity, where commitment and a common goal transcend origins, languages, and cultures.
To the Real Madrid players, Cardinal Cobo remarked, “Being champions is a privilege… but it is also a personal and social responsibility, as you can see.” He assured the team that the Church places them under the loving protection of the Virgin of Almudena, the patroness of Madrid, who intercedes for all, regardless of belief.
The Almudena Cathedral, a relatively young cathedral in Spain with construction starting in 1883 and completed in 1993 when it was consecrated by St. John Paul II, houses the much older medieval statue of the Virgin of Almudena, believed to have been brought from the Holy Land in the year 38 by St. James.
“I don’t know which team Jesus, the son of Mary, the one she shows us in her arms, would belong to,” Cardinal Cobo mused. “But surely Jesus also wants to be present and thank us for this cup. He helps us to recognize what is truly important in life.”
As the players and coaches presented their trophy before the iconic statue of Our Lady, Cardinal Cobo commended them for achieving this “great goal” through “discipline and commitment,” calling it a “crucial message of hope, especially for young people.”
Concluding his speech, Cardinal Cobo urged the team to continue playing “good soccer for everyone” under Mary’s protection, thanking them for their exemplary performance.
The event saw European football’s biggest stars, dressed in formal attire and visibly thrilled, as they presented the trophy to the Virgin and as Cardinal Cobo held up an official team T-shirt commemorating Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League title.
