Certain stadiums are recognised for their beauty. Others are recognised for their atmosphere. Fans often have their favourites either way, much like they would have their favourite football kit, or pair of football boots.
Changing rooms, on the other hand, are hidden away from football supporters, a luxury that only the players and coaching staff experience.
Check out our list of the 20 best changing rooms in the world of football:
20. Borussia Dortmund - Signal Iduna Park
The home of Borussia Dortmund is most famous for its fearsome 'Yellow Wall', the single tier terrace alive with a sea of yellow and black flags and banners. Used in the 2006 World Cup, the stadium has a capacity of 81,000.
19. San Lorenzo - Estadio Pedro Bidegain
Known by fans as the New Gasometer, the Estadio Pedro Bidegain is relatively modern, having only existed for 25 years. The lockers were designed to be close to one another so that the players felt less apart, fostering a better team spirit.
18. Olympique Marseille - Stade Velodrome
The home of well-known footballers such as Mario Balotelli, Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin, the spacious changing room of Marseille is representative of the club with its deep blue décor. Each seat is designed for comfort, with only a short walk to the pitch required.
17. Monaco - Stade Louis II
Located in a beautifully serene area close to the French coast, aerial shots of the Stade Louis II are said to be stunning. The changing room does not fail to live up to its reputation either, with its dark wood setting creating a traditional environment.
16. Olympiacos - Estadio Georgios Karaiskakis
With an unconventional and extremely modern look, it is no surprise that the changing rooms for the Estadio Georgios Karaiskakis were refurbished only as recently as 2014. Rather than the usual rectangular seating arrangement, here they face each other in a semi-circle.
15. PSV Eindhoven - Philips Stadion
Now inhabited by fan favourites such as Mexican pair Hirving Lozano and Erick Gutierrez, the Philips Stadion has over 100 years of history. The changing room is a fiery red, with seats close together that ensures a close-knit group that is ready to battle.
14. Racing - Estadio Presidente Peron
Currently top of the Argentine Primera Division, Racing's players have certainly enjoyed themselves since their changing room was remodelled in 2015. The aura is particularly modern, with photographs of the players situated in their individual lockers, making them feel more ingrained in the club.
13. Porto - Estadio do Dragao
A beautiful stadium, the Estadio do Dragao opened its doors as recently as 2003, with Porto crowned as Champions of Europe only a year later. Porto have since won nine league titles while this contemporary changing room has been its home.
12. Ajax - Johan Cruyff Arena
Named after the legendary Dutch footballer, the Johan Cruyff Arena has a 54,000 capacity and a charming changing room. The Ajax badge is larger-than-life on the ceiling, intimidating its players to perform well for such an iconic club in the history of football.
11. Monterrey - Estadio BBVA Bancomer
Now home to former Porto fullback Miguel Layun, the Estadio BBVA Bancomer is considered one of the best football stadiums in South America, having only been opened in 2015. The changing room has a modern look with a traditional feel.
10. River Plate - Estadio Monumental
Capable of holding 75,000 fans, the commonly known 'El Monumental' was remodelled only last year. With an understated simplicity, the changing room is refreshingly different for a modern construction, with a treatment table placed in the centre of the room, for instance.
9. Club America - Estadio Azteca
Home not only to Club America but to the Mexican national team as well, the Estadio Azteca's changing rooms are some of the most modern and spacious in South America. A photograph of each player and their number accompanies their designated space.
8. Manchester United - Old Trafford
Refurbished only last year, the changing room at the 'Theatre of Dreams' is incredibly large, with a contemporary feel. Beautifully designed, no money is spared in providing the likes of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku the best possible environment to flourish while they ply their trade for Manchester United.
7. Boca Juniors - La Bombonera
With a dressing room that has seen the likes of Diego Maradona, Juan Roman Riquelme , Gabriel Batistuta and Carlos Tevez pass through it, Boca Junior players should already be inspired. The glitzy and comfortable looking feel that it has nowadays only adds to that experience.
6. Liverpool - Anfield
Refurbished in 2017, Liverpool's dressing room is well proportioned, modern but with the traditional feel that Anfield naturally possesses. Before games, the players are able to hear emotional fans singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone', motivating them to deliver on the pitch.
5. Paris Saint-Germain - Le Parc des Princes
Revamped numerous times to accurately reflect the winning vision of the players and owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Paris Saint-Germain changing room now has a look similar to that of the NBA. Incredibly spacious, it is the area where the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe prepare to do damage before games.
4. Juventus - Allianz Stadium
Now the home of Cristiano Ronaldo , the changing room at the Allianz Stadium is designed to accommodate such a star athlete. With a beautifully modern design, the famous black and white colours of Juventus are decorated throughout with a touch of class.
3. Manchester City - Etihad Stadium
Built in 2002 with a capacity of 55,000, the takeover of Sheikh Mansour of Manchester City in 2008 has allowed the Citizens to invest further into the stadium. A newly designed changing room is a beneficiary of that, shaped circularly with a great open space in the middle.
2. Real Madrid - Santiago Bernabeu
Founded back in 1947, the changing room of Real's iconic Bernabeu stadium has been remodelled to the highest standard numerous times since. Divided by a pillar, the space that the changing room engulfs is massive, with a fair walk required to get from one side to the other.
1. Atletico Madrid - Wanda Metropolitano
Atletico's Madrid's departure from the Vicente Calderon and arrival at the Wanda Metropolitano in 2017 has seen them move into perhaps the most modern stadium in world football. The changing room is no different, combining all the elements of previously great dressing rooms.
Comments
Post a Comment