In 2016, Brussels forced Real Madrid to repay this sum, considered as illegal public aid in the context of a real estate transaction.

The European court on Wednesday overturned a decision issued in 2016 by Brussels forcing Real Madrid to repay Spain 18.4 million euros, considered as illegal public aid in the context of a real estate transaction.

The European Commission did not "take into account all the elements of the transaction and its context" and "did not sufficiently demonstrate that the measure in question conferred a benefit" to Real Madrid, explains the Court of EU in its judgment.