Hala Madrid Anthem

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Lore & Background

The anthem was commissioned by the president of Real Madrid Florentino Pérez. Composer Nadir Khayat (RedOne) said that he was a Real Madrid fan and wanted to contribute something to the club. He created the tune of the anthem while travelling on a plane between Madrid and Morocco in 2010. He programmed and recorded the anthem's symphonic part while in Sweden. The lyrics were written by journalist Manuel Jabois. Jabois originally wrote a longer set of lyrics but truncated it to fit the tune. The song is titled '¡Hala Madrid!...y nada más'; the term 'Hala Madrid' is a battle cry used to cheer on Real Madrid. 'Hala' is a word of Arabic origin meaning 'Come on'. '¡Hala Madrid!' is also the title of Real Madrid's official anthem (commonly known as 'Las mocitas madrileñas' after a line in the lyrics) commissioned by former president Santiago Bernabéu to commemorate the golden jubilee of the club in 1952. The song was written by Luis Cisneros Galiane and recorded by José de Aguilar. For the term 'y nada más' ('and nothing else'), Jabois explained that 'it sums up a bit what Madrid is, either you love it or...'. 'Hala Madrid y nada más' was recorded at the PKO Studios in April 2014 by Real Madrid’s squad including Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, Xabi Alonso, Angel Di Maria, Isco, and Marcelo, as well as their manager Carlo Ancelotti. It was first played publicly at the celebration of La Décima on May 24, 2014. The anthem was released to the public after Madrid’s 10th Champions League win. At the stadium, it is now regularly played and sung by fans before matches and after a Real Madrid player scores a goal. A version was also recorded by Plácido Domingo in December 2014, originally intended for a 2015 release, but Real Madrid did not reach the final that year. It was released in May 2016 after Real Madrid won their 11th Champions League title (La Undécima).

In Their Own Story

The lights dim over the packed stands, the air thick with anticipation and the faint, metallic scent of flares. Then, the first brass note cuts through the noise like a sword drawn from its sheath. A hush falls instantly across the Santiago Bernabéu, broken only by the swelling strings of the orchestra. One by one, then in unison, fifty thousand voices rise: 'Hala Madrid... y nada más.' The vibration travels through the concrete tiers, up into the players' locker room, and settles deep in the chests of every man wearing the white shirt. For those few minutes, tactics, injuries, and rivalries dissolve; there is only the pure, unadulterated belief that this anthem has sung since 2014: that they are destined for greatness.

Reader's Guide

The anthem topped the 2014 iTunes chart in Spain and 17 other countries around the world, including Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Slovakia, and Sweden.

Did You Know?

• The anthem was first played publicly at the celebration of La Décima on May 24, 2014.
• The tune was created by RedOne while travelling on a plane between Madrid and Morocco in 2010.
• A version of the anthem was recorded by Plácido Domingo in December 2014 and released in May 2016 after Real Madrid won their 11th Champions League title.

Origins and Creative Process

The anthem ¡Hala Madrid!...y nada más emerged from a direct commission by club president Florentino Pérez, aiming to celebrate the team's historic tenth UEFA Champions League victory. The musical composition was crafted by Nadir Khayat, known professionally as RedOne, who is also a devoted supporter of the club. His creative journey began in 2010 during a flight between Madrid and Morocco, where he conceived the melody. Later, while in Sweden, he handled the programming and recording of the symphonic elements that give the track its grandeur. The lyrics were penned by journalist Manuel Jabois, who initially drafted a more extensive version before editing it down to match RedOne's composition. Jabois explained that the phrase 'y nada más' encapsulates the club's polarizing nature, suggesting that one either loves Real Madrid or does not. This collaborative effort between a passionate fan-composer and a skilled writer resulted in a modern tribute designed to honor the club's legacy while motivating its current squad.

Recording and Stadium Integration

The official recording session took place at PKO Studios in April 2014, featuring an all-star lineup of the Real Madrid squad alongside their manager, Carlo Ancelotti. Prominent players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, Xabi Alonso, Ángel Di María, Isco, and Marcelo lent their voices to the track. Although recorded in April, the song was strategically withheld from public release until after the team secured La Décima, their tenth European title. Internally, it served as a motivational tool before crucial matches, including the 2014 Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona and Champions League encounters with Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid. Following its official launch, the anthem became a staple of matchday atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It is now routinely played by fans both prior to kick-off and immediately after a goal is scored, cementing its role as an integral part of the club's identity and emotional connection with supporters.

Lyrical Heritage and Cultural Context

The title ¡Hala Madrid!...y nada más draws deeply from the linguistic and historical roots of the club. The phrase 'Hala Madrid' serves as a traditional battle cry, with the word 'Hala' originating from Arabic to mean 'Come on.' This specific chant distinguishes itself from the club's official anthem commissioned in 1952 by Santiago Bernabéu for the golden jubilee, which is often referred to as Las mocitas madrileñas. That earlier song was written by Luis Cisneros Galiane and recorded by José de Aguilar. In contrast, this modern iteration adds the suffix 'y nada más' ('and nothing else'), a choice made by lyricist Manuel Jabois to reflect the absolute devotion required of fans. The anthem thus bridges the gap between historical tradition and contemporary celebration, honoring the past while providing a fresh, energetic soundtrack for a new generation of supporters who rally behind the team's relentless pursuit of glory.

Global Reception and Special Editions

Upon its release, the anthem achieved remarkable commercial success, demonstrating the global reach of Real Madrid. It topped the iTunes charts in Spain and reached number one in seventeen other nations, including Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Slovakia, and Sweden. This widespread popularity highlighted the club's international fanbase. Additionally, a special version was recorded by renowned opera singer Plácido Domingo in December 2014. Originally intended for release in 2015, this rendition was delayed because the team failed to reach the Champions League final that year. It finally saw the light of day in May 2016, following the club's eleventh European triumph known as La Undécima. This later release served as a celebratory capstone to another era of dominance, ensuring the anthem remained relevant across multiple championship cycles.