The gesture did not go unnoticed among fans, especially after the pontiff revealed his sympathy for the white team. During his plane journey to Spain, Leon XIV was asked whether he preferred Real Madrid or FC Barcelona. His response was diplomatic, although he made his personal inclination clear. "The pope supports all teams," he said with a smile. However, he mentioned that Robert Prevost, his name before becoming pontiff, is indeed a Real Madrid fan.
The anecdote has generated great interest among football fans and Catholic faithful, uniting two passions with millions of followers worldwide. The visit to the Bernabeu and the gift from Florentino Pérez reinforce the new pope's connection with the king of sports, a hobby that has accompanied Leon XIV long before assuming the leadership of the Catholic Church.
The meeting became one of the most talked-about images of his visit to Spain.