RCD Mallorca
Spanish football team.
RCD Mallorca, commonly known as Mallorca, is a professional football club based in Palma, Mallorca, Spain. Founded in 1916, the club has a rich history that reflects the ebb and flow of football fortunes, having experienced both the highs of European competition and the lows of relegation battles.
Mallorca plays its home games at the Visit Mallorca Estadi, formerly known as Son Moix, which has a capacity of 23,142 spectators. The stadium, opened in 1999, replaced the old Lluís Sitjar, which had been the club's home since 1945. The club's colors are red for home games and black for away games, earning them the nickname "Los Bermellones" (The Vermilions).
Throughout its history, Mallorca has spent the majority of its time oscillating between the first and second divisions of Spanish football. The club's most successful period came at the turn of the millennium. In 1998, Mallorca won its first major trophy, the Copa del Rey, defeating Barcelona in the final. This victory qualified them for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, marking their debut in European competition.
The following years saw Mallorca establish itself as a competitive force in La Liga. In the 1998-99 season, they finished an impressive third in the league, their highest-ever finish, which qualified them for the UEFA Champions League. Although they were eliminated in the qualifying rounds, this period marked the peak of Mallorca's achievements.
Mallorca's success continued into the early 2000s. In 2001, they reached the final of the last ever Cup Winners' Cup, losing to Lazio. The same year, they won their second major trophy, the Supercopa de España, defeating La Liga champions Deportivo La Coruña.
However, like many clubs, Mallorca has faced financial difficulties and periods of instability. The club experienced relegation to the Segunda División in 2013 and again in 2017. Despite these setbacks, Mallorca has shown resilience, achieving promotion back to La Liga in 2019 and again in 2021 after another brief spell in the second tier.
Mallorca has been home to several notable players throughout its history. Samuel Eto'o began his European career at the club, while other stars like Juan Arango and Dani Güiza have worn the red shirt. As of 2024, Mallorca continues to compete in La Liga, striving to establish itself as a stable top-flight club and recapture some of the stability and success it enjoyed in the late 1990s and early 2000s.