At Madrid’s Legends: Home of Football museum, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has taken his place among the icons of world football. Located at the Puerta del Sol, in the heart of Madrid, the museum offers fans an exceptional look at the sport’s history, showcasing a collection that honors the “greatest passion created by humankind: football.”
Spanning 4,200 square meters over seven floors, the museum presents a lineup of historical jerseys from legendary players, including Diego Maradona, Pelé, Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Lionel Messi, Zinédine Zidane, and now, Yassine Bounou, the celebrated goalkeeper of the Atlas Lions.
Paola Herrera Rodriguez, the museum’s communications director, explained that Bounou’s inclusion celebrates his significant role in Morocco’s historic run to fourth place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His jersey from Morocco’s thrilling victory over Spain in the Round of 16 symbolizes this journey. “For us, Yassine Bounou embodies African pride,” she said, noting his remarkable performances both with Morocco and his Spanish club, Sevilla FC.
Herrera emphasized that Legends aims to represent football fans from Morocco and across Africa, offering visitors a unique connection to Bounou’s story and Morocco’s unforgettable World Cup journey. The pride extends to all Moroccan fans, as the museum highlights Bounou and the Atlas Lions as symbols of resilience and accomplishment.
Showcasing football’s rarest treasures
Alongside Bounou’s jersey, the museum displays other priceless artifacts, including the only known jersey of Lev Yashin, the iconic Russian goalkeeper; Alfredo Di Stéfano’s jersey from the 1960 European Cup final; and Maradona’s famed jersey from the 1986 World Cup final, valued at an astonishing €20 million. Fans can also marvel at jerseys from other legends, like Garrincha’s from the 1958 World Cup, Marco Van Basten’s from the 1988 European Cup, and Lionel Messi’s from the 2022 World Cup final.
With immersive experiences like 4D theaters, world championship trophies, and interactive exhibits, Legends allows football lovers to relive some of the game’s most pivotal moments. Visitors can walk through a timeline of football’s evolution, supported by state-of-the-art technology that breathes new life into iconic moments. Historic artifacts, such as the original ball used in the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, add further depth to the experience.
One standout feature is the museum’s 3D stadium presentation, which recreates famous venues like La Bombonera in Argentina, Santiago Bernabéu in Spain, San Siro in Italy, and Brazil’s Maracanã. According to Herrera, the Grand Stadium of Casablanca will be added once completed, allowing fans to feel as if they’re standing on these storied pitches. A groundbreaking 4D immersion experience, which took four years to perfect, guides visitors through the history of the World Cup, from its first edition in Uruguay in 1930 to the recent tournament in Qatar.
A global collection backed by football’s giants
The Legends museum is home to the world’s only complete historical football collection, with over 5,000 iconic pieces that showcase the global love for the game. Founded by Argentine Marcelo Ordás Peña, renowned as the world’s foremost collector of elite football relics, the museum enjoys the support of major institutions such as FIFA, La Liga, UEFA, and CONMEBOL.
Through its rare collection and advanced exhibits, Legends has become a place where fans from all backgrounds can connect with the magic of football. By honoring players like Yassine Bounou, the museum bridges cultures, generations, and continents, bringing the world of football closer to the hearts of all who visit.
