Abandoned Champions League stadium is unrecognisable after hosting Man Utd and Chelsea

An iconic Champions League stadium now looks totally unrecognisable after being transformed into a public park following its closure. The legendary arena played host to matches involving many of Europe's biggest clubs, including the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. Boasting a capacity of more than 54,000, it also staged three World Cup games in 1982.

The stadium was built in 1966 and welcomed millions of fans before it was closed to the public in 2017. Over the next few years, it was gradually demolished as its tenants settled into a new state-of-the-art venue. The site now plays host to a public park, which is named after the club that once called it home.

The stadium in question is the Vicente Calderon, which was the stomping ground of Atletico Madrid for more than 50 years. It became surplus to requirements once the Spanish giants moved into the Metropolitano Stadium on the other side of the city.

It was a popular venue among football purists thanks to its traditional old-school feel and unique features, which included a major motorway running underneath one of the stands.

The final match at the stadium was an exhibition between a past-and-present Atletico side and a World XI. Once the whistle had blown and the fans had made their way out of the ground, the doors were closed for good.

Since its demolition, the site has been transformed into a public space which is named the Atletico de Madrid Park. It now consists of tall, green trees and a huge 700-metre treadmill for amateur runners.

Located in the quiet park is a reminder of the iconic status it once enjoyed as one of the world's best-loved stadiums. There is a carved-in-stone ball exactly where the old centre spot used to be, as well as a time capsule buried underground.

Atletico's move to the Metropolitano Stadium was largely welcomed by supporters in spite of their fondness for the old venue. Some fan groups expressed opposition to the eye-watering cost, estimated to be in the region of £260million.

Fernando Torres, who played over 250 games for Atletico across two spells at the club, said he would miss the stadium at which he made his professional debut aged 17.

"My life and my memories all come from the Calderon, my greatest days as a supporter and as a player are in that stadium," said Torres at the time of its closure.

"Whenever I go around the area in the future and the stadium won't be there, it's going to be difficult."

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