What Is the Real Madrid Logo?
The Real Madrid logo is the club crest: a royal crown above a gold circle that holds the interlaced letters MCF and a diagonal band. It belongs to Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, the football club from Madrid founded on 6 March 1902 as Madrid Football Club, and a member of La Liga, Spain's top division.
The crown is the part with a story: it shows the royal patronage the club received in 1920, and it has been taken off and put back once. The crest is available as the Real Madrid logo SVG.
Real Madrid Logo Facts
| Introduced | 1902 (initials); crown added 1920 |
| Symbol | A royal crown above the interlaced letters MCF in a circle, crossed by a diagonal band |
| Logo type | Emblem: initials and symbols inside a roundel |
| Earlier mark | A decorative monogram of the club's initials, from 1902 |
| Owner | Real Madrid Club de Fútbol |
What the Real Madrid Logo Means
The letters MCF stand for Madrid Club de Fútbol, the club's original name, and they have been part of the mark since 1902. The crown is the royal crown granted with the title "Real", which means royal, so the badge reads as a royal club from Madrid.
The diagonal band comes from a different period. It was added in 1931 in the dark mulberry of the historic region of Castile. The club kept it when the crown came back, so the crest carries both its royal and its regional history.
Real Madrid Logo History
The first crest, in 1902, was a decorative interlacing of the club's initials in dark blue on the white shirt. In 1908 the letters were made more streamlined and placed inside a circle.
On 29 June 1920 King Alfonso XIII granted the club the title Real in a letter to its president, Pedro Parages. The grant allowed the club to wear the royal crown on its crest, and Madrid Football Club became Real Madrid Football Club.
When the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed on 14 April 1931, royal symbols had to go. The club dropped the crown and the Real title, and the crown's place in the design went to the mulberry band of Castile.
In 1941, two years after the Civil War, the crown was restored and the mulberry band was kept. The crest became full colour, with gold most prominent, and the club went back to the name Real Madrid Club de Fútbol.
In 2001 the club standardised the crest for the new century and changed the mulberry band to a bluer shade.
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona
Both Spanish rivals had their crests changed by politics in the 1930s and 1940s. Real Madrid lost its crown under the Republic and regained it under Franco, while Barça had to cut the Catalan bars on its shield from four to two under Franco (compare the FC Barcelona logo).
For more clubs like Real Madrid, browse our sports logos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a crown on the Real Madrid logo?
King Alfonso XIII granted the club the title Real on 29 June 1920, and with it the right to wear the royal crown on its crest.
What do the letters on the Real Madrid crest stand for?
MCF stands for Madrid Club de Fútbol, the club's name before the royal title was added.
Why was the crown removed from the Real Madrid crest?
When Spain became a republic in 1931, royal symbols were removed. The crown returned in 1941.
What does the band on the Real Madrid crest mean?
It was added in 1931 in the mulberry colour of the historic region of Castile. In 2001 its shade was changed to a bluer tone.