During the group stages of this year’s Leagues Cup, viewers will have been hearing a chant which is best known for being sung at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium during Real Madrid games. Several stadiums in the United States this summer have seen renditions of “Cómo no te voy a querer” (“How could I not love you” in English) coming from the stands. Here’s why.
“Cómo no te voy a querer” first emerged during the Santiago Bernabéu friendly match in 2004, played between Real Madrid and Pumas of LIGA MX. The Mexican fans began to sing the chant - as they had done for several years - and the madridistas soon adopted it as their own, although changing the lyrics slightly.
The song has seen some changes over the years. Although it began to be used in 2004, its increase in popularity came during José Mourinho’s spell as manager of Real Madrid. During those years, the team had begun to challenge in the UEFA Champions League latter stages again, after going out at the last 16 stage for six consecutive years beforehand.
First, they would sing: “Cómo no te voy a querer, cómo no te voy a querer, si fuiste campeón de Europa por novena vez” (“How could I not love you, when you were European champions for the ninth time”).
After the club’s tenth Champions League title, it became: “Cómo no te voy a querer, cómo no te voy a querer, si fuiste campeón de Europa por décima vez” (“How could I not love you, when you were European champions for the tenth time”).
Now, the chant goes: “Cómo no te voy a querer, cómo no te voy a querer, si fuiste campeón de Europa una y otra vez” (“How could I not love you, when you’ve been European champions time and time again”).
Here’s how Pumas’ original chant goes: “Cómo no te voy a querer, cómo no te voy a querer, si mi corazón es azul y mi piel dorada, siempre te querré” (“How could I not love you, when my heart is blue and my skin is gold, I’ll always love you”).
It continues to be sung at the Mexico City-based side’s matches, and their Leagues Cup 2023 campaign is no exception.
