Atletico Madrid
Spanish football team.
Atlético de Madrid, commonly known as Atlético Madrid or simply Atlético, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1903 as Athletic Club de Madrid, the club has become one of the most successful and popular teams in Spanish football. Atlético plays its home games at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, which opened in 2017 and has a capacity of 68,456 spectators.
The club's colors are red and white, earning them the nickname "Los Colchoneros" (The Mattress Makers), due to their traditional red and white striped shirts resembling mattress ticking. Atlético Madrid has a rich history and has established itself as the third most successful club in Spanish football, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Throughout its history, Atlético Madrid has won 11 La Liga titles, 10 Copa del Rey trophies, and two UEFA Europa League titles. The club has also reached the UEFA Champions League final three times, in 1974, 2014, and 2016, although they are yet to win the competition. Atlético's first major period of success came in the 1940s and 1950s, during which they won several La Liga titles and established themselves as a major force in Spanish football.
Atlético Madrid has a fierce rivalry with Real Madrid, known as the Madrid Derby. These matches are among the most anticipated fixtures in the Spanish football calendar and often have significant implications for both clubs' seasons. The rivalry is intensified by the clubs' proximity and their contrasting identities, with Atlético often seen as representing the working-class areas of Madrid.
The club has experienced both highs and lows throughout its history. After a period of decline in the late 1990s, which saw them relegated to the Segunda División in 2000, Atlético bounced back strongly. Under the ownership of Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and the presidency of Enrique Cerezo, the club has enjoyed a renaissance in the 21st century.
A key figure in Atlético's recent success has been Diego Simeone, who took over as manager in 2011. Under Simeone's leadership, the club has adopted a disciplined, defensive style of play that has brought significant success. Atlético won La Liga in 2014 and 2021, breaking the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona. They also claimed the UEFA Europa League in 2012 and 2018.
Atlético Madrid has a strong youth academy, which has produced several notable players over the years. The club is known for developing talented strikers, with players like Fernando Torres, Sergio Agüero, and more recently, João Félix coming through their ranks or making their names at the club.
In recent years, Atlético has consistently competed at the highest level of Spanish and European football. Their move to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in 2017 marked a new era for the club, providing a modern home that reflects their ambitions to compete with Europe's elite clubs.
As of 2024, Atlético Madrid continues to be a major force in La Liga and European competitions.