Michel Salgado faced a rare test of loyalty as Dubai Basketball Club edged out Real Madrid 78-77. The Spanish football legend admitted he was split. His heart was with both teams. Salgado, once a Real Madrid defender and now a familiar face in UAE sports, said his support was "50-50" during the tense match. That's not something you hear often from a club icon.
Dubai Basketball Club out-rebounded Real Madrid 45 to 30, a statistic highlighted by Sportando as a key factor in their EuroLeague debut win.
Dubai's win was more than just a number on the scoreboard. Salgado praised the club's work as "amazing." He said their impact goes beyond basketball. It adds real value to Dubai's sports scene. "I'm a football and sports man, but I have to admit what Dubai Basketball Club is doing is fantastic," he said. Salgado tipped his hat to their efforts. He even suggested football could learn from their approach.
Just a week before, Real Madrid lifted the Super Cup in Abu Dhabi. Salgado pointed to that as a reason for his split loyalty. This close game against Dubai showed how the local sports scene is changing. The UAE club is now setting new standards. For those watching UAE sports, this kind of momentum is familiar. It's the same drive seen in other sports, as reported earlier in football's First Division.
The EuroLeague opener on September 24, 2026, was a rollercoaster. Dubai took the first quarter 20-16. Real Madrid led 44-38 at halftime. Dubai stormed back in the third, outscoring Madrid 25-18. In the end, Dubai held on for a one-point win. The official Real Madrid report said the home side kept the edge in the final moments. McKinley Wright IV hit a late three-pointer. Filip Petrusev made a key defensive stop. Dwayne Bacon led Dubai with 24 points. Theo Maledon and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot each scored 11 for Madrid. Eurohoops and Sportando confirmed the stats.
Dubai's victory was widely described as historic by international and regional outlets, marking a milestone in the club's debut on the European stage. Head coach Xavi Pascual praised the fans and emphasized the emotional significance of the win, according to ARN News Centre.
Salgado also spoke about Real Madrid's football future. He told fans and pundits not to judge José Mourinho's new run too soon. Salgado said Mourinho, even with all his experience, needs time to settle in with the current squad. "We have to wait. It's still early to judge. He's a top-class coach and just needs time," Salgado said. He trusts Mourinho to guide Madrid through this next chapter.
Dubai Basketball Club's narrow win over one of Europe's giants is more than a headline. It shows Dubai's investment in sport is paying off. Salgado's support, as both a football legend and a close observer of Dubai's rise, gives the project real weight. When someone like him calls a local club "a model to follow," it means something. Dubai's approach is raising the bar for the region. The message is simple. Ambition, backed by action, can put UAE teams on the world stage.
