When Real Madrid were due to face Manchester United in the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1968, Real's 72-year-old president Santiago Bernabeu spoke with remarkable warmth about his old rivals.
“I want Manchester United greeted and treated and respected as the greatest club in the world,” he said in a speech celebrating winning yet another league title. “As our friends for many years, nothing must go wrong. If we are beaten in the European Cup by Manchester United on Wednesday then we shall have lost to a great team. We have met them on many occasions and it's about time their luck changed.