Photo via BBC Sport

How do Spanish clubs become 'Real' or 'royal'?

Several teams across the top two tiers of Spanish football feature the royal designation Real, which translates to royal and has historical roots tied to the countrys monarchy rather than being awarded strictly for tournament victories. Eleven clubs currently carry this distinction, which dates back more than a century to the era of King Alfonso XIII who took a keen interest in the emerging sport and granted patronage, honorary presidencies, and permission to incorporate a crown onto team crests for organisations such as Deportivo de A Coruna, Real Sociedad, Espanyol, Sporting de Gijon, and Madrid Football Club.

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