Real Madrid traces its roots back to 1897 when Football Club Sky was formed in Madrid.

In 1900, Julian Palacios convinces his father-in-law to allow him and his English friends to play soccer on an open parcel of land, leading to the establishment of the unofficial football club. Palacios becomes the first president and captain of the team.

Real Madrid Foundation was founded on January 1, 1902 by Juan Padrós.

Real Madrid Football Club was officially founded on March 6, 1902, in Madrid, Spain. The club was established by a group of football enthusiasts led by the Padrós brothers, who aimed to create a mass sport accessible to all social classes.

Real Madrid played its first competitive match on 13 May 1902, losing 3–1 in the semi-final of the Campeonato de Copa de S.M. Alfonso XIII against FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have a minor rivalry known as El Viejo Clásico, as the two clubs were dominant in the first half of the 20th century.

Real Madrid wins their first Copa del Rey trophy in 1905.

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid met for the first time on 2 December 1906 in the regional championship, with Real Madrid winning 2–1.

During the season 1907-08, Madrid FC was actively participating in football matches and competitions.

In 1908, the crest of the club underwent its first change with the letters adopting a more streamlined form and being placed inside a circle.

Real Madrid became a member of the Royal Spanish Football Federation in 1909.

In 1912, Real Madrid relocated to the Campo de O'Donnell after moving between several grounds.

In 1920, the club is renamed as Real Madrid.

On May 17, 1923, Real Madrid inaugurated the Estadio Chamartín with a match against Newcastle United, where the club celebrated its first Spanish league title.

Real Madrid moves to the Charmartín stadium in 1924.

The first league meeting between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid took place on 21 February 1929 at the former Chamartín, with Real Madrid winning 2–1.

On April 14, 1931, due to the arrival of the Second Spanish Republic, Real Madrid lost the title 'Real' and the royal crown on its emblem, reverting to being named Madrid Football Club until the end of the Spanish Civil War.

By the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Real Madrid had won two La Liga titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies.

In 1941, after the Nationalist victory in the Civil War, the Francoist regime restored the 'Real Corona' or 'Royal Crown' on the club's crest, along with retaining the mulberry stripe of Castile.

On June 13, 1943, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 11-1 in the Copa del Generalísimo semi-finals, a match marred by controversy and hostility between the two clubs, reflecting the political tensions of the time.

In 1945, Santiago Bernabéu was elected as the president of Real Madrid. He immediately started improving the club in various aspects, including the stadium and playing staff.

On December 14, 1947, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was inaugurated, replacing the previous Estadio Chamartín, and named in honor of president Santiago Bernabéu.

Alfredo Di Stefano was a prominent figure in the history of Real Madrid. He made significant contributions to the club during his time as a player.

Real Madrid won their first UEFA Champions League title in June 1955.

Real Madrid, led by Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, and Francisco Gento, won the first five European Cups from 1956 to 1960. They are widely regarded as one of the greatest football teams in history.

Real Madrid secures its 4th consecutive La Liga title in 1958, showcasing their dominance in Spanish football during that period.

The rivalry between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid gained international attention in 1959 during the European Cup when the two clubs met in the semi-finals. Real Madrid won the first leg 2–1, Atlético won 1–0 in the second leg, and Real Madrid won the replay 2–1.

In 1960, Real Madrid achieved a remarkable feat by winning their 5th consecutive European Cup title and also clinching their first Intercontinental Cup title, which later became the predecessor to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Real Madrid won 3–1 in a replay held in Paris during the quarter-finals of the 1961–62 European Cup against Juventus.

Real Madrid won its first double of league championship and national cup in 1962, showcasing dominance in both domestic competitions.

In 1964, Real Madrid won the European Cup with a team consisting of legendary players such as Di Stefano, Puskas, and Gento. This victory marked a significant achievement in the club's history.

In 1966, Real Madrid secured their 6th UEFA Champions League title, solidifying their dominance in European football. The team was affectionately referred to as the 'ye-ye's' due to a photo where they imitated the Beatles, deriving the nickname from a Beatles song chorus.

Santiago Bernabeu, who was the Real Madrid president at the time, passed away in 1978. His death had a significant emotional impact on the team, leading to the stadium being named after him.

On 2 July 1978, Santiago Bernabéu, who had been Real Madrid's president for almost 35 years, passed away during the World Cup in Argentina.

In 1980, Santiago Bernabeu, the legendary president of Real Madrid, passed away. Following his death, the prestigious Trofeo Bernabeu was established in his honor.

On April 26, 1981, Real Madrid lost the league title to Real Sociedad after a draw against Sporting de Gijón allowed Real Sociedad to claim the title.

In the 1981 European Cup Final on May 27, Liverpool defeated Real Madrid with an Alan Kennedy goal, clinching the European Cup title.

Real Madrid's professional squad was one of four teams in the Primera División to support a strike called on April 11, 1982, playing with Castilla footballers and winning against Castellón.

On May 19, 1982, Luis de Carlos introduced Alfredo Di Stéfano and Amancio Amaro as coaches of the first team and Castilla, respectively, for Real Madrid.

Italy won the 1982 FIFA World Cup final against West Germany at the Santiago Bernabéu with a 3-1 victory, with President of Italy Sandro Pertini celebrating each Italian goal.

La Quinta del Buitre, consisting of five homegrown Real Madrid players including Emilio Butragueño, were at the core of the team that dominated Spanish football in the 1980s.

Emilio Butragueño became a household name in Europe with a remarkable performance against Anderlecht on December 12, 1984, scoring three goals in a 6-1 victory for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid claimed their first UEFA Cup in 1985 during a successful period in the 1980s, where they won multiple La Liga titles and Copa del Rey trophies.

Real Madrid claimed their second UEFA Cup in 1986, continuing their successful streak in the 1980s with multiple domestic league and cup victories.

In 1994, Raúl set a new record for the most games played for Real Madrid, showcasing his longevity and dedication to the club.

After Ramón Mendoza's resignation, Lorenzo Sanz became the president of Real Madrid in 1995, ushering in a new era for the club.

On May 20, 1996, Lorenzo Sanz presented Fabio Capello as the new head coach of Real Madrid, following his successful tenure with Milan.

Jupp Heynckes led Real Madrid to win their seventh top European trophy with a goal by Pedja Mijatović against Juventus in the Final held at the Amsterdam Arena.

Real Madrid ends a 32-year drought by securing the European Cup, now known as the Champions League title, and retains it for the following 2 years.

Under the guidance of Vicente del Bosque, Real Madrid claimed their eighth European Cup/Champions League title by defeating Valencia 3–0 in the Final held at the Stade de France in Paris.

Florentino Pérez fulfilled his electoral promise by signing Luís Figo, who was presented as a Real Madrid player on July 16, 2000.

Real Madrid clinched their ninth European Cup title in the 2001-02 season by defeating Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park in Glasgow. The win showcased Real Madrid's continued success in European competitions.

Real Madrid participated in the Intercontinental Cup on December 3, 2002.

Real Madrid was eliminated by Juventus in the Quarter-finals of the 2003-04 Champions League.

Real Madrid was eliminated by Arsenal in the Round of 16 of the 2004-05 Champions League.

Real Madrid was eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 of the 2005-06 Champions League.

On May 9, 2006, the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium was inaugurated in the Real Madrid City, serving as Real Madrid Castilla's home ground.

Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 4-3, securing the top spot in La Liga for the first time that season despite missing key players Robinho and Beckham. They came back from a 1-3 deficit in the first half with a late goal by Gonzalo Higuaín.

Real Madrid secured their sixth consecutive win by defeating Deportivo 3-1 at the Bernabéu, with goals from Sergio Ramos, Raúl, and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Real Madrid clinched their 30th Spanish league title by defeating Mallorca 3-1 at the Bernabéu. Goals from José Antonio Reyes, an own goal, and another from Reyes secured the victory.

Real Madrid started the season with a 2-1 victory over city rivals Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, with goals from Raúl and Wesley Sneijder.

Bernd Schuster was dismissed as manager of Real Madrid, with Juande Ramos appointed as his replacement. This marked the end of a disastrous season for Real Madrid.

On 1 June 2009, Florentino Pérez returned as the president of Real Madrid amidst criticism over the club's decline. He continued the Galácticos policy by signing Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo for record-breaking sums.

On June 26, 2009, Real Madrid signed Cristiano Ronaldo for a record-breaking £80 million (€94 million). Ronaldo went on to become the club's and history's all-time top goalscorer, leaving a significant mark on the club's legacy.

In May 2010, José Mourinho was signed as the coach of Real Madrid by Florentino Pérez. Mourinho's tenure saw significant investment in the team and ultimately led to success in the 2011–12 season.

In the 2011-12 season, Real Madrid clinched the La Liga title for the 32nd time in the club's history. They set numerous league records and Cristiano Ronaldo became the fastest player to score 100 goals in Spanish league history.

In the 2011-12 season, Real Madrid won La Liga for the 32nd time in its history, setting numerous league records including 100 points amassed, 121 goals scored, and 32 wins overall.

Real Madrid started the 2012-13 season by winning the Supercopa de España, defeating Barcelona on away goals. It was their only trophy of the season despite coming close to winning more.

On 25 June 2013, Carlo Ancelotti succeeded Mourinho as the manager of Real Madrid on a three-year deal, with Zinedine Zidane named as one of his assistants.

On 1 September 2013, the long-awaited transfer of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid was announced, setting a new world record signing.

Real Madrid won the La Liga BBVA, the most important national league cup in Spain, with a total of 20 teams participating.

Real Madrid achieved victory in the Copa del Rey by defeating Barcelona in an amazing final, with Gareth Bale and Angel Di Maria playing crucial roles. The cup involves participation from all teams in Spain.

On 7 February 2015, Real Madrid suffered their first defeat in 14 years at the Vicente Calderón, losing 4–0.

On 25 May 2015, Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed as the manager of Real Madrid after the team finished the season with two trophies out of six possible.

On 3 June 2015, Rafael Benítez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager for the 2015–16 season, signing a three-year contract.

On 4 January 2016, Rafael Benítez was relieved of his duties as the Real Madrid manager, and Zinedine Zidane was promoted to his first head coaching role.

Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid met again for the Champions League title on 28 May 2016, resulting in a win for Real Madrid after a penalty shootout at San Siro.

On December 10, 2016, Real Madrid played their 35th-straight match without a loss, setting a new club record.

Real Madrid achieves its first FIFA Club World Cup victory after a year of winning drought, followed by three consecutive wins in 2018.

Real Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals of Copa del Rey on 12 January 2017 with a 6-3 aggregate victory over Sevilla, extending their unbeaten run to 40 matches.

Real Madrid's victory over Juventus in the Champions League final on June 3, 2017, resulted in them becoming the first team to successfully defend their title in the UEFA Champions League era.

Real Madrid beat Brazilian club Grêmio 1-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup final on December 16, 2017, becoming the first team to retain the trophy.

On January 24, 2018, Real Madrid was knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage by Leganés on away goals.

Real Madrid won their 13th UEFA Champions League title on May 26, 2018.

On May 31, 2018, Zinedine Zidane announced his resignation as Real Madrid manager, citing the club's 'need for change' as his rationale for departing.

Real Madrid appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new manager, who was previously the head coach of the Spain national team. He was set to start after the 2018 FIFA World Cup but was sacked by Spain a day before the tournament for negotiating with the club without informing them.

Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus for €117 million as part of reshaping the squad in the summer of 2018.

On 12 June 2018, Real Madrid named Julen Lopetegui as their new manager, but he was sacked by the Spanish national team a day prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Real Madrid lost 2–4 a.e.t. to Atlético Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup, marking a disappointing start to the 2018–19 campaign.

After a 1-5 loss to Barcelona in El Clásico on 28 October 2018, Lopetegui was dismissed as Real Madrid's manager.

After a 1–5 loss to Barcelona in El Clásico, Real Madrid dismissed Julen Lopetegui and appointed Santiago Solari as the new coach.

Real Madrid defeated Al Ain 4–1 in the FIFA Club World Cup final, becoming the record winners with four titles and extending their consecutive wins.

On 5 March 2019, Real Madrid was defeated by Ajax 1-4 at home, crashing out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage after eight consecutive semi-finals appearances.

Zinedine Zidane returned as the head coach of Real Madrid after Santiago Solari was dismissed. Under Zidane, the team had mixed results in the league.

On 12 January 2020, Real Madrid beat Atlético Madrid in a penalty shootout in the Supercopa de España final to win their eleventh title.

Real Madrid won their 34th La Liga title after winning ten consecutive matches following the resumption of the league in June.

Zinedine Zidane left Real Madrid after a trophyless season, and Carlo Ancelotti returned as the coach for the 2021–22 season.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid won La Liga and the Supercopa de España, achieving success on the domestic front.

In 2022, teams were either promoted to higher leagues or relegated to lower leagues based on their performance in domestic leagues.

Real Madrid clinched their 20th Copa del Rey title by defeating Barcelona in the semifinals and Osasuna in the final.

Karim Benzema joined Al Ittihad, while Marco Asensio moved to Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid signed Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

Eden Hazard retired at 32 due to poor performance and recurring injuries while playing for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid claimed the Spanish Supercup by defeating Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona in the semifinals and final respectively.