"This is where Cristiano Ronaldo uses the toilet" at El SantiagoBernabeau Stadium, Madrid

As you might know, I have a thing for soccer (or 'football' on this side of the Atlantic, and lets keep it that way from now on). The favorite sport of Spain, some of the world's best football clubs reside in this football crazed nation. Not the least significant of which is the Real ("Royal") Madrid Club de Football. With a payroll of some of the world's greatest players including Ronaldo, Casillas, Ramos, Alonso, Ozil, and arguably the best coach in the world Jose Mourinho, high expectations have translated into recent success.
Their stadium, in the business district of Madrid, is El Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, named after one of the club founders. Even after attending a game, I did not mind the opportunity to see the stadium again (without getting kicked out).
A tour was organized by the wonderful ESN student group from my university. With me for the tour was my main man Dario and my German friend Alice, among some others for eight in total.

The self guided tour began with a view of the stadium from the rafters. From here, you can really appreciate the size of the 100,000 plus seat stadium.

Then, a short walk to the club museum. First, the trophy cases.

A classy retro Spain jersey

Then, the museum transitioned to more on club history. Some photo opportunities were found by a large team picture and a trophy case holding their European championship trophies.

European Champions

Spanish league and Copa Del Rey trophies from last season

We were allowed to take a picture posing with one of the European championship trophies, but staff members took the picture that we could collect later.
One of the museum walls had list of every Real Madrid player by country. To no surprise, no American has ever played for Real.
Another photo opportunity: this time in front of a green screen where they could pose you with the team player of your choice. As with my jersey, I chose Iker Casillas, my favorite player on the team.

Next, a walk around the lower section of the stadium and sitting in the royal box.

The locker rooms followed. We entered in the medical area transitioning to the spa pools. It did feel like you were entering a classy spa.

"This is where Christiano Ronaldo uses the toilet..."

Then the lockers themselves.

"This is Nacho locker..."

This lead to the team tunnel. From there, a walk to the actual playing surface (or 'pitch' as they like to call it). The area where we walked was the artificial turf area section where the coaches can walk (the 'coach's box') and the team benches. Equipped with luxury club seating, it is harder to find more comfortable seats in the whole stadium. A low overhang covered the seats. It serves a dual purpose: protecting the players from the elements and from the supporters with things to throw.

Team tunnel

Lounging on the team bench...

Standing at the base of the stadium allows you to appreciate its size from a different perspective.

Benches

A walk through the less impressive visitors locker room followed with a short walk to the press room. I had some fun here, loaning my scarf and jacket to the other students for pictures.

A brief note on my outfit. Yeah, I did go all out. I got the 10€ scarf at a street vendor before my first game. The jersey from another street vendor a few days before for 30€. Both are non-authentic at 'market' prices. The jacket is the real deal; same kind worn by players and coaches. It's price will remain undisclosed ;-).

Dress like the coach... look like the coach...

As any good tour would do, we concluded at the Real Madrid store. Here, we could inquire about the photos taken earlier. Of course, no photo was for free. With a minimum price of 12€, only a team like Real Madrid could charge so much for a photo and still have people buy.

Overall, a cool tour and I saved a few euro by going with a group. I probably need to attend one more game to actually see Casillas play (he is injured now).

Michael... the Madrid manager...