The FIFA awards ceremony held in Rome on December 11, 2000, was a landmark event celebrating the greatest achievements in football’s history at the turn of the century. Among the honors given out, the title of “Club of the Century” was perhaps the most prestigious, recognizing Real Madrid as the most influential and successful football club of the 20th century.
Key Highlights:
- Real Madrid’s Dominance: Real Madrid received 42.35% of the vote from readers of FIFA World Magazine, a resounding endorsement of their extraordinary legacy. By 2000, Real Madrid had established themselves as the most successful club in Europe:
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- Eight European Cups (now the UEFA Champions League): A record at the time, with their first victory in 1956 starting an unmatched streak of five consecutive wins.
- Two UEFA Cups: Demonstrating dominance beyond their traditional European Cup victories.
- Two Latin Cups: Predecessors to modern European tournaments.
- Two Intercontinental Cups: Showcasing their global appeal by defeating champions from other continents.
- Ceremonial Recognition: Real Madrid’s recognition was symbolized through the acceptance of the award by club legend Alfredo Di Stefano, one of the greatest players in football history and a pivotal figure in Madrid’s success, and club president Florentino Perez. They received the trophy from then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
- Global Polling Results: The distribution of votes highlighted the global perception of football’s most iconic clubs:
- Manchester United came in second with 9.69%, reflective of their storied history, particularly in the English First Division and their 1999 treble-winning season.
- Bayern Munich (9.18%) secured third, bolstered by their European and domestic dominance in the late 20th century.
- FC Barcelona (5.61%) and Santos (5.10%) completed the top five, with the latter gaining recognition largely due to the brilliance of Pelé during their golden era.
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Surprising Placements:
- Clubs like Ajax, Juventus, and Peñarol outperformed historically significant teams such as AC Milan and Liverpool, showing a unique weighting of historical impact over recent achievements.
- South American teams, including Peñarol, Flamengo, and River Plate, were acknowledged for their rich histories, although their vote shares were smaller due to the European dominance in the public vote.
- Pele and Maradona Honored Jointly: In addition to Real Madrid’s triumph, the event was memorable for naming Pelé and Diego Maradona as joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century award. This decision balanced their immense contributions to football while reflecting the passionate debates about who was the greatest of all time.
- Zidane’s Individual Glory: The evening also saw Zinedine Zidane, then at Juventus, awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year for his incredible skill and influence on the game.
Legacy:
The “Club of the Century” honor cemented Real Madrid’s reputation as the pinnacle of club football, laying the foundation for further success in the 21st century. This recognition, combined with the accolades given to players and clubs at the ceremony, served as a historic reflection of football’s evolution and enduring appeal.