Eliud Kipchoge reveals purpose of Real Madrid visit
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 27.02.26. | 07:42
Kipchoge said he was delighted to spend time in Madrid, including a stop at the Bernabéu, as part of a broader youth-focused initiative
World-record marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has explained the real reason behind his visit to Real Madrid’s iconic home, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, on Wednesday, 25 February, saying the trip was about more than football or sightseeing.
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The Kenyan runner shared on Instagram and Facebook on Thursday, 26 February, that his visit to the Spanish capital was tied to expanding opportunities for young athletes.
Kipchoge said he was delighted to spend time in Madrid, including a stop at the Bernabéu, as part of a broader youth-focused initiative.
He highlighted the upcoming Abbott Dream Team program, which aims to give youth soccer players in the United States an opportunity to train with one of the world’s most successful football clubs.
“In 2026, the @abbottglobal Dream Team will give youth soccer players from the U.S. the chance to train with one of the world’s greatest clubs and see how champions prepare,” Kipchoge wrote.
Through the Dream Team project, selected youth players from the U.S. will gain access to elite training sessions and facilities typically reserved for professional athletes.
The initiative mirrors programs run by the Real Madrid Foundation, which regularly hosts young players from around the world to experience the club’s training methodology and heritage, extending beyond sport to nurture character and leadership.
For Kipchoge, whose glittering career includes back-to-back Olympic marathon gold medals and multiple world records, the visit reinforced his long-standing commitment to youth development and the transformative power of sport.
“It reminded me how powerful it is to give young athletes access to the best. Opportunity can change life!” he added.
During the visit, the marathon great received a warm welcome from club representatives and a personalized jersey bearing his name.
While in Madrid, Kipchoge also witnessed Real Madrid continue their European campaign.
In a UEFA Champions League second-leg playoff at the Bernabéu, the Spanish giants defeated Portuguese side Benfica 2-1 to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory and advance to the Round of 16.