Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer recently revealed that Real Madrid's management holds his club in high regard. In an interview ahead of the German Cup final, Hainer shared that the Spanish club's executives expressed great admiration for Bayern Munich, highlighting it as a unique example in world football due to its independence from external investors.

Praise from Madrid

In an interview with Sport Bild, Hainer provided his assessment of the season. "The championship is always our priority. A double would, of course, be the cherry on top," he explained. "Our football excites people, and games against Real and Paris have earned us recognition worldwide, even from those who usually don't cheer for Bayern."

Hainer emphasized that his club is in "top form and sets international standards." He cited a particular compliment as evidence. "When we dined together in Munich before our Champions League match, representatives of Real Madrid said there is only one club that serves as their model: FC Bayern. We don't rely on external investors."

Comparison of Ownership Structures

This season, Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals before being halted by Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champions. PSG, backed by Qatari investors, will face Arsenal in the final, the new English champion under the ownership of American billionaire Stan Kroenke. Most leading English clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, are also under foreign control.

On the other hand, Real Madrid and its biggest rival, Barcelona, remain in the hands of their members, although both clubs have significant debts due to large transfer expenditures. Unlike them, Bayern's unique shareholder structure, FC Bayern AG, operates without debts. The members' association holds 75% ownership, while long-term sponsors Adidas, Allianz, and Audi each have an 8.33% stake. The rivalry between Real and Bayern in the Champions League has a long history. For decades, Bayern was Real's "black beast" (Bestia Negra), but the situation reversed in favor of the Spaniards in the last decade. However, this season, Bayern once again demonstrated its superiority in their encounters.