ONCE home to one of Europe’s biggest clubs, the Vicente Calderon Stadium was one of football’s most iconic stadiums for over 50 YEARS.
These days it has been replaced by a supermarket, a medical centre and a public park, with only a few commemorative features left to remember what once was.
The Vicente Calderon Stadium was once one of Europe’s most iconic grounds Credit: Getty
It has now been replaced by a public park Credit: Handout
The area has been modernised with new-build flats Credit: Handout
An upscale supermarket sits where the ground used to be Credit: Handout
A 700m running track wraps around the park Credit: Handout
The Vicente Calderon was home to for 51 years, hosting Atelti supporters from its opening in 1966 until 2017.
The Mattress Makers won six LaLiga titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies during their stint at the ground, which ended nine years ago.
At its peak, the stadium boasted an impressive capacity of 66,000, but a steady downsizing starting in 2001 meant it hosted just shy of 55,000 fans by the time it closed in 2017.
The ground and has since been replaced by a public park that has been named in the club’s honour.
covers the vast area vacated by the iconic stadium and is lined with trees and a 700m treadmill for amateur runners.
Besides the park’s name, several small details honour the Vicente Calderon Stadium’s importance to the local area.
A commemorative plaque can be found nearby, while there is also a carved-in-stone exactly where the centre of the pitch used to be.
Perhaps the biggest local change involves the nearby roads.
A commemorative plaque can be found on the floor at the park Credit: Handout
There is also a carved-in-stone ball exactly where the centre-circle used to be Credit: Handout
The Vicente Calderon was known for its unusual architectural quirk: the M-30 dual carriageway ran underneath the stadium.
It was part of what made the ground so famous and so beloved by football fans.
Now, years after its demolition, the road has been redirected closer to the river, making space for an upscale supermarket, a medical centre and a host of modern flats.
When walking the area you would hardly know that greats of the game like and have played in the very same spot.
The Vicente Calderon Stadium also hosted matches for the 1982 World Cup and served as a music venue for huge artists such as the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jackson.
Atletico Madrid now play their home games at the Metropolitano Stadium, having moved there in 2017 after nearly half a century at the Vicente Calderon.
The Vicente Calderon used to have a motorway running underneath the ground Credit: Philip Oldham
The road went directly under one of the stands Credit: Google Maps
Since its demolition, the road has been redirected Credit: Google Maps
Atletico Madrid now play at the Metropolitano Stadium Credit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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