Football glamour in Marbella.
Marbella has long had a reputation for attracting international sports celebrities with its beguiling combination of sun, sea and fun—and that is something that continues to this day, with many professional footballers descending on the Costa del Sol for some off-season relaxation. The wonderful climate, first-class facilities and myriad of leisure options that attract tourists to the region have proven to be a big hit with football stars as well, and it is no wonder that the players’ clubs are also increasingly choosing the area as a destination for mid-winter training. Many Northern European football teams have made Marbella and the Costa del Sol a home from home when looking for some quality training away from the stresses of professional league action and often chilly winter temperatures. There is no shortage of facilities on the Costa del Sol, as dedicated training centres—often linked to five-star golf resorts—have been set up looking to cater for this market. One of the most successful is the Marbella Football Center, located in Benahavís at the La Quinta Golf resort. The centre—which features four full size FIFA pitches—is used by over 60 squads each year, with teams such as Scotland, Mexico, United States, Canada, Russia, CSKA Moscow, Sevilla FC, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Glasgow Celtic, Everton, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Bayern Munich and FC Wolfsburg having trained there over the past few years. Also popular have been the La Cala Golf Resort facilities, which offer a full size regulation pitch amidst three championship golf courses and all the five-star luxury facilities needed to ensure the sports stars have a relaxing break, while more warm weather training options can be found at the Benahavís Football Training Centre. It has been chosen by the likes of Charlton Athletic, Aston Villa FC, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Derby County FC, Preston North End, HJK Helsinki, Horsens, AA Gent, Club Bruges and Heracles, amongst others. Slightly further away near Jerez, the resort of Montecastillo has attracted some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and CSKA Moscow to its exceptional facilities for a sunshine break combined with quality training. The popularity of the region with such big names in the football world highlights the reasons Marbella and the Costa del Sol have been so enduringly popular with holidaymakers. These clubs demand the best for their players—and that is something Marbella has plenty of experience in providing for all its visitors. Should you like to experience this footballers’ lifestyle for yourself—where nothing but the best will do—please contact us. We have a fine selection of the very best real estate in the region on our books.
