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Airdate: Galácticos

ESPN screens a 3-part series that centres around Real Madrid securing superstars Beckham, Ronaldo & more.

On Sunday ESPN screens Galácticos, a three-part series that centres around Real Madrid securing superstars David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo and more.

‘Galácticos’ documents Florentino Pérez’ first term as president of Real Madrid and the Galactico revolution he oversaw to make Real Madrid the most glamorous and successful football club the world has ever seen.

The documentary includes fascinating insights from a stellar cast of Real Madrid legends, including Iker Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro, Claude Makélélé, Fernando Morientes, Steve McManaman and Manager Vicente del Bosque, alongside individuals closest to Perez.

The three-part series traces Real Madrid’s time under Perez, from his Presidential win and controversial transfer of Luis Figo from bitter rivals Barcelona in July 2000, to the resignation of his first term as Real Madrid President in February 2006 following the fallout from his ‘Galáctico’ vision.

The three films focus on the transfers of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham, who joined the club between 2001 to 2003 and, alongside Figo, formed the Galáctico generation. The series explores Perez’ vision to modernise Real Madrid in a new world of sponsorship, image rights and the internet to become a global sporting superpower in the 2000s.

In Perez’ first three years at the club Real won two La Liga titles, the UEFA Champions League in 2002, two Spanish Super Cups, the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.

Yet as Perez’ reign progressed, we hear from key players, board members and journalists about the friction between the old and new Real Madrid. With huge egos in both the dressing room and board room, and with the importance of marketing over football, the breaking-up of Real’s winning formula led to the demise of the ‘Galáctico’ revolution, ending in Perez resigning from his role at the club in 2006.

Sunday February 28
4pm AEDT, ‘Galacticos’ – Part One, ESPN2
4.30pm AEDT, ‘Galacticos’ – Part Two, ESPN2
5pm AEDT, ‘Galacticos’ – Part Three, ESPN2

ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.

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