Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1903 by Basque students as a branch of Athletic Bilbao, the club has grown into one of Spain's most successful and globally recognized football brands. The team plays its home matches at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano (formerly the Wanda Metropolitano) and competes in La Liga, Spain's top division. Atlético has won numerous domestic and international titles, including La Liga championships, Copa del Rey trophies, and European honors such as the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. The club is known for its distinctive red-and-white striped shirts, which earned the nickname 'Los Colchoneros' (the mattress makers) and 'Los Rojiblancos' (the red-and-whites). Under long-serving coach Diego Simeone, Atlético has become a consistent contender in Spanish and European football, known for its defensive resilience and competitive spirit. The club is privately owned, with Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and Enrique Cerezo as majority shareholders. Atlético Madrid has a large and passionate fan base and is active in global brand partnerships, merchandising, and community initiatives.

Atlético Madrid was founded on 26 April 1903 by a group of Basque students living in Madrid as a youth branch of Athletic Bilbao. The club initially wore blue and white shirts, but in 1911 they adopted the red-and-white stripes, which have remained ever since. The team became a separate entity from Athletic Bilbao in 1921. Atlético's early success included winning the Copa del Rey in 1921 and 1923. In 1940, the club merged with Aviación Nacional to form Atlético Aviación, winning its first La Liga title in 1940 and 1941. The club reverted to its original name in 1947. The 1960s and 1970s were a golden era, with Atlético winning multiple La Liga titles (1966, 1970, 1973, 1977) and reaching the European Cup final in 1974, where they lost to Bayern Munich after a replay. The club won the Intercontinental Cup in 1974. In the 1980s and 1990s, Atlético experienced mixed fortunes, including a double (La Liga and Copa del Rey) in 1996. The club was relegated in 2000 but returned to La Liga in 2002. Under coach Diego Simeone, appointed in 2011, Atlético won La Liga in 2014, breaking the dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, losing to Real Madrid both times. The club also won the UEFA Europa League in 2012 and 2018. In 2017, Atlético moved to the new Wanda Metropolitano stadium (now Riyadh Air Metropolitano). The club continues to compete at the top level of Spanish and European football.

• 2018

  Won UEFA Europa League

• 2017

  Moved to Wanda Metropolitano stadium

• 2014

  Won La Liga and reached Champions League final

• 2011

  Diego Simeone appointed as head coach

• 1996

  Won La Liga and Copa del Rey double

• 1974

  Reached European Cup final and won Intercontinental Cup

• 1940

  Won first La Liga title

• 1921

  Became independent from Athletic Bilbao

• 1911

  Adopted red-and-white striped shirts

• 1903

  Club founded as a branch of Athletic Bilbao

Top-tier Spanish football club with a strong brand identity built on resilience, teamwork, and a passionate fan base; positioned as a challenger to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

• Home and away kits

• Training apparel

• Accessories

• Stadium tours

• Membership (Socio)

• 2026

  Spanish FA fines Barcelona over contact with Julián Álvarez

  The Spanish FA fined Barcelona €602 after Atlético Madrid complained that Barcelona had approached Julián Álvarez without first notifying Atlético in writing. The complaint concerned contact with the player without prior written notice to his club. The Spanish FA imposed the fine in response to Atlético Madrid's complaint. The event was reported on 27 October 2026.

  Source

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• 2026-10-27

  Spanish FA fines Barcelona over contact with Julián Álvarez[3]Spanish FA fines Barcelona over contact with Julián Álvarezaol.co.uk

  Reported: 2026-10-27

  The Spanish FA fined Barcelona €602 after Atlético Madrid complained that Barcelona had approached Julián Álvarez without first notifying Atlético in writing.

1. 1Atlético Madrid official websiteatleticodemadrid.com
2. 2Atlético Madrid - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
3. 3Spanish FA fines Barcelona over contact with Julián Álvarezaol.co.uk