They started building it long ago
Spain’s Valencia CF is a well-known football team. As a result, they’ve received numerous awards. They perform there, Estadio Mestalla. However, it’s an outdated stadium. It was built in 1923. Therefore, they desired an updated stadium. In 2007, construction on it commenced. Nou Mestalla is its name. It is both large and beautiful. 80,000 people can fit inside. It features wood and metal. But they ran out of money in 2009. Consequently, they stopped building it. Some of their top athletes were sold. Because they owed a lot of money. The new stadium was not done. This article will explain the reasons, why is Valencia’s new stadium not done, and why they have a plan to finish it.
They have a plan to finish it
They stated that they had a strategy to finish it in 2021. For €113 million (£96 million), the old stadium was sold. They’ll use the money to finish the new stadium and pay off some of their debts. They also changed the design of the new stadium. It will have fewer seats: 49,000. They could add 70,000 more seats later. They will install solar panels on the roof. It will resemble the former stadium. The club’s president said the new stadium will be good for Valencia. He said they want to finish it by 2024. That is when the club will be 100 years old. He also said they want to host some games of the World Cup in 2030.
They still have problems to solve
However, completing the new stadium is not simple. From the city and other parties, they must obtain permission. To pay for it, they must find more money. It will cost between €250 million and €300 million. They also need money for other projects in the city. Like a hospital and a metro. Some people say the new stadium is too big and too costly for Valencia. They say it will not be used much.
A history of good and bad times
For Valencia CF and its supporters, the new stadium is more than just a pipe dream; it also serves as a reminder of the club’s turbulent past. In 1919, a group of friends established the club in a bar. To elect their first president, they tossed a coin. The club played its first match in May 1919 against Valencia Gimnástico and lost 1–0.
The club relocated to Estadio Mestalla in 1923, the same year it also claimed its first regional title. In 1941, the team defeated RCD Espanyol to win its first Spanish Cup. In 1942, Valencia CF won its first Spanish league title, beating Real Madrid by one point. The club repeated this feat in 1944 and 1947.
In 1952
Valencia CF reached its first European final: the Latin Cup (a precursor to the European Cup). The club lost 2–1 against Juventus FC from Italy. In 1962 and 1963, Valencia CF won two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups (the predecessor to UEFA Cup), beating FC Barcelona and Dinamo Zagreb respectively.
In 1970
Valencia CF hired Alfredo Di Stéfano as coach, one of the best players of all time. He led the club to its fourth Spanish league title in 1971 and to its first European Cup final in 1972. The club lost 2–1 against Ajax Amsterdam from the Netherlands. In 1979, Valencia CF won its third Spanish Cup, beating Real Madrid 2–0.
In 1980
Valencia CF won its third UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Arsenal FC from England on penalties. The club also won its first UEFA Super Cup, beating Nottingham Forest FC from England on aggregate. In 1982, Valencia CF won its fourth Spanish Cup, beating Real Madrid on penalties.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s
Valencia CF went through a period of decline and instability, both on and off the pitch. The club suffered from financial problems, managerial changes, and poor results. The club went down to the second division in 1986 and again in 1988. The club returned to the top flight in 1989 and stayed there ever since.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s
Valencia CF experienced a golden era under coaches Claudio Ranieri and Héctor Cúper. The club won its fifth Spanish league title in 1999 and reached two consecutive UEFA Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001. The club lost both finals: against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
In 2002
Valencia CF hired Rafael Benítez as coach, who led the club to its sixth Spanish league title in 2002 and its second UEFA Cup in 2004, beating Olympique de Marseille from France 2–0 in the final. The club also won its second UEFA Super Cup in 2004, beating FC Porto from Portugal 2–1.
In the mid-2000s
Valencia CF started to face financial difficulties again, partly due to the cost of building the Nou Mestalla. The club also had issues with its players, coaches, and supporters. Some of the team’s stars, including Juan Mata, David Silva, and David Villa, were sold. The club also failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League several times.
In 2014
Peter Lim, a billionaire from Singapore, purchased the team and pledged to finish the Nou Mestalla and make player investments. Controversy and disappointment have marked his tenure. The team has changed coaches frequently and has not won any trophies since 2008. In order to compete with other clubs in Spain and Europe, the club has also had difficulty.
Valencia CF had a special season to mark its 100th anniversary in 2019. The team earned a spot in the UEFA Champions League by placing fourth in the Spanish league. In the final, the team defeated FC Barcelona 2-1 to win its eighth Spanish Cup. The club dedicated the trophy to its fans who had suffered for so long.
A future of hope and uncertainty
For Valencia CF and its supporters, the new stadium serves a greater purpose. In addition to paying homage to a glorious past, it expresses hope for a better future. A challenge and risk that could make or break the club are also involved.
The new stadium will be completed quickly and will increase the team’s happiness and success, the club’s supporters hope. They anticipate the new stadium serving as a venue where they can take pleasure in watching their team compete and succeed. They anticipate that Valencia will take great pride in and enjoy the new stadium.
Moreover, they are aware that nothing is promised by the new stadium. They are conscious of the possibility that the new stadium will present difficulties for the team. Moreover, they are aware of the possibility that the club may not need the potential size and price of the new stadium. In case the team does poorly, they are aware that the new stadium might be sad and empty.
The future of the Nou Mestalla and their team is unknown to the supporters. They only are aware of their love for Valencia CF and their unwavering commitment to the team. However, only they have a dream called Nou Mestalla is all they are aware of.