Atlético Madrid

History of Atlético Madrid: The Colchoneros, Passion and the Simeone Era

The people's club of the Spanish capital and eternal rivals of Real Madrid, Atlético have turned resilience into an identity. Eleven-time champions of Spain and transformed by Diego Simeone, they reached the Champions League semi-finals and the Copa del Rey final in 2026.

1. Basque Students and Mattress Stripes (1903–1938)

On 26 April 1903, Basque students living in Madrid founded Athletic Club de Madrid, a branch of Athletic Bilbao. The club soon adopted red and white stripes — a fabric then used to make mattresses, hence the nickname Colchoneros (the mattress-makers), which supporters still proudly embrace.

2. Atlético Aviación and the First Titles (1939–1965)

After the Civil War the club merged with the air force team to become Atlético Aviación, champions in 1940 and 1941. It took its current name in 1947, then won its first European trophy, the 1962 Cup Winners' Cup, against Fiorentina.

3. The Calderón, the 1974 Final and the 1996 Double (1966–2011)

In 1966 the club moved into the Vicente Calderón stadium on the banks of the Manzanares. In 1974 it came within seconds of the European title: in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich, it led 1–0 until the last minute of extra time, when Georg Schwarzenbeck equalised; the replay was lost 4–0. Atlético nevertheless won the Intercontinental Cup that year. The club completed a league and cup double in 1996 under Radomir Antić, then suffered relegation in 2000 — an ordeal that only deepened the loyalty of its supporters. It won the 2010 Europa League.

4. Diego Simeone: The "Cholismo" Revolution (2011–2021)

In December 2011 the club's former Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone took charge. He built a team founded on intensity, defensive solidarity and a fighting mentality: Cholismo. The results were spectacular: the 2012 Europa League, the 2013 Copa del Rey — won at the Bernabéu against Real — then the 2014 Spanish title, clinched at the Camp Nou on the final day, breaking the Real–Barça duopoly. Atlético reached two Champions League finals, in 2014 and 2016, both lost to Real Madrid. They won another Europa League in 2018 and moved in 2017 into their new stadium, the Metropolitano. An eleventh league title followed in 2021, inspired by Luis Suárez.

5. A European Institution (2022–2025)

Under Simeone, now one of the longest-serving coaches in world football, Atlético established themselves among the clubs that qualify every season for the Champions League, regularly renewing their squad around players such as Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Koke.

6. The 2025–26 Season: A European Semi-Final and a Cup Final

The 2025–26 season was among the richest of the Simeone era. In the Champions League, Atlético eliminated Club Brugge in the play-offs, then Tottenham 7–5 on aggregate in the last 16, and above all FC Barcelona 3–2 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-final they went out only narrowly to Arsenal (1–2 on aggregate), the eventual finalists.

In the Copa del Rey the Colchoneros knocked out holders Barcelona in the semi-finals before losing the final, played on 18 April 2026 at La Cartuja in Seville, to Real Sociedad on penalties (3–4). The league title went to FC Barcelona.

7. Looking to 2026–27: The Champions League Quest

Since the restart, Atlético have pursued the one prize still missing from their history: a Champions League, after three lost finals (1974, 2014, 2016). With a modern Metropolitano, an identity forged by fifteen years of Simeone and one of the most passionate supporter bases in Europe, the club remains the indispensable third power in Spanish football.

Honours, Stadium and Legends

Main honours: eleven Spanish championships, ten Copas del Rey, three Europa Leagues (2010, 2012, 2018), three UEFA Super Cups, one Cup Winners' Cup (1962) and one Intercontinental Cup (1974). The Metropolitano, holding nearly seventy thousand spectators, hosted the 2019 Champions League final. Antoine Griezmann became the club's all-time leading scorer, overtaking legend Luis Aragonés, and Koke holds the appearance record. Adelardo, Fernando Torres, Diego Forlán, Radamel Falcao, Gabi, Diego Godín and goalkeeper Jan Oblak complete its pantheon. The Madrid derby against Real is one of the most intense in Europe, and the club's motto, "Coraje y corazón" — courage and heart — captures the identity its supporters demand from every team.