Estudiantes de La Plata
Argentinian football team.
Estudiantes de La Plata is a professional football club based in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The club was founded on August 4, 1905, by a group of university students, which is reflected in its name. Estudiantes plays its home games at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, also known as "Uno," which has a capacity of 30,018 spectators. The stadium, reopened in 2019 after extensive renovations, is located in the heart of La Plata and is known for its unique design and atmosphere.
The club's colors are red and white, typically worn in vertical stripes on their home kit. Estudiantes is nicknamed "Los Pincharratas" (The Rat Stabbers), a name that originated in the early 20th century due to the medical studies of many of the club's founders and players. Another common nickname is "El León" (The Lion), which represents the team's fighting spirit.
Estudiantes has a rich history in Argentine and South American football. The club has won the Argentine Primera División six times, with their first title coming in 1967 under the legendary coach Osvaldo Zubeldía. This period marked the beginning of Estudiantes' golden era, during which they achieved unprecedented success both domestically and internationally.
In international competitions, Estudiantes has been particularly successful. The club won the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition, four times (1968, 1969, 1970, and 2009). They also claimed the Intercontinental Cup in 1968, defeating Manchester United, becoming the first Argentine club to win this prestigious title. In 2009, under the management of Alejandro Sabella, Estudiantes reached the FIFA Club World Cup final, narrowly losing to Barcelona.
Throughout its history, Estudiantes has been known for producing talented players who have gone on to have successful careers both in Argentina and abroad. Some notable players include Juan Ramón Verón, Carlos Bilardo (who later became a successful coach), Juan Sebastián Verón (son of Juan Ramón), and more recently, Marcos Rojo and Santiago Ascacíbar.
Estudiantes' biggest rivalry is with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, the other major club from La Plata. The matches between these two teams, known as the Clásico Platense, are among the most passionate derbies in Argentine football. While they haven't won the league title since 2010, they have consistently qualified for continental competitions and remain a respected force in South American football. The club's return to their renovated stadium in 2019 marked a new era, providing a modern home that honors the club's rich history.
As of the 2023-24 season, Estudiantes continues to compete at the highest level of Argentine football, challenging for league titles and cup competitions.