Marcelo Bernabéu
Marcelo Bernabéu de Yeste (10 July 1893 – 13 June 1973) was a Spanish association footballer who played as a defender for Madrid FC. He was the elder brother of Santiago Bernabéu, who later became one of the club's most important players and served as its president for 35 years.
Early life
Marcelo Bernabéu de Yeste was born on 10 July 1893 in Almansa, in the province of Albacete, Spain. He was one of the sons of the Bernabéu family and the elder brother of Santiago Bernabéu. Both brothers developed an interest in football while studying at the Real Colegio Alfonso XII in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
Football career
Bernabéu played as a defender for Madrid FC, the club that later became Real Madrid. The official history of Real Madrid lists him as a first-team player between 1910 and 1915 and credits him with 17 appearances and one Campeonato Regional title.
He was part of the Madrid FC squad during the early 1910s, when the club competed in the Campeonato Regional Centro and the Copa del Rey. Historical match records identify Bernabéu in the Madrid FC team that played FC Barcelona in 1913. He also played in Madrid's 1913 Copa del Rey semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, which Madrid FC lost 3–0.
The 1913 semi-final was notable for Bernabéu's performance in defence. Contemporary historical accounts of Madrid FC's early history describe him as one of the team's defenders in the match against Athletic Bilbao.
Bernabéu was also listed in the Madrid FC squad for the 1912–13 season alongside his younger brother Santiago Bernabéu.
Later life and death
Bernabéu died on 13 June 1973, aged 79.
Honours
Madrid:
- Campeonato Regional de Madrid:
- 1912–13
Personal life
Bernabéu was the elder brother of Santiago Bernabéu, who became a prominent Madrid FC player before serving as president of Real Madrid from 1943 until his death in 1978. The two brothers played together for Madrid FC during the early 1910s.