Real Madrid endured its worst domestic league performance under Vicente del Bosque's management, finishing only third in the league standings (with 66 points), as well as losing the Copa del Rey final at the Bernabéu to unheralded Deportivo La Coruña, despite the club's world record signing of Zinedine Zidane from Juventus.

On a brighter note, del Bosque delivered La Novena's UEFA Champions League title as a consolation prize, following a 2–1 victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the final thanks to Zidane's volley goal.

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As winners of the 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid was one of the 12 teams that were invited to the 2001 FIFA Club World Championship, which was scheduled to be hosted in Spain from 28 July to 12 August 2001.

Since the fixtures were already released prior to the tournament's cancellation, it is known that Real Madrid would have played its group stage matches at the Bernabéu.