Carlos Varela and Alfredo Sanz Write Song for Real Madrid

April 3, 2025

On March 24th, the successful Spanish singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz gave an interview to Vanity Fair, in which he spoke about his upcoming album, which will be released this same year, as well as his career spanning several decades, loves, and other topics of interest to the general public.

Among everything Sanz declared to that well-known magazine, a special point stood out that caught the attention of Cubans and "merengues," as he referred to a song he worked on for Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, of which he has been a fan for years.

"I didn't like football before my father died, but from that point on it was as if [his spirit] had possessed me. From that day on I was Madrid's and I am Madrid's and I love Madrid," he confessed.

According to the native of the Spanish capital, the work in question was a special commission from none other than Florentino Pérez, president of the Madrid club. "One day Javier Limón and I got together with him (Florentino) because he asked me to write a song for Madrid, which, by the way, is already ready. We're waiting for a special date from the club to launch it. I made it with Carlos Varela, a Cuban composer whom I admire and care for very much," Alejandro commented.

Shortly after these statements became known, the Peña Madridista de La Habana echoed them on their Facebook page, where they published a post accompanied by the following text: "Hala Madrid in Havana with Carlos Varela and Alejandro Sanz! What a stir we're going to cause! Hala Madrid in Cuba!"

This collaboration between Sanz and Varela rounds out a friendly bond that both artists have had since the time when the Iberian was in a relationship with the also Cuban Rachel Valdés, from whom he separated in 2023 and to whom he later dedicated the single Palmeras en el jardín.

Although it is unknown when the collaboration that Alejandro and Carlos worked on for the white club will be published, it will surely happen in the event that they win a title between now and the end of a season in which they are still fighting for the local league, the Copa del Rey, and also the Champions League.

For Varela, who has been permanently based in Spain since 2022, the release of a piece linked to one of the most famous football teams in the world means not only a great honor, but also a new opportunity to gain followers outside of Cuba, following the release last November of his ninth studio album, Nada es como antes.