The football club “Atletico” appeared in Madrid in the spring of 1903 when a group of Basque students, inspired by the performances of “Athletic Bilbao,” decided to create a branch of their favorite team in the capital of Spain. The new team was registered under the name Athletic Club de Madrid, choosing a similar form and structure. The initial registration took place on Alcala Street, where enthusiasts held their first meetings and made decisions about the emblem, uniform, and internal regulations.
The club’s creation coincided with a period of sharp growth in the popularity of football in Spain, especially in Madrid. Unlike the aristocratic “Real Madrid,” the new team initially represented a mix of workers, students, and employees, creating a contrast in social perception. This influence is still felt in the team’s identity, which was later nicknamed the “Mattress Makers.”
Evolution of the name and the first trophies in the history of the club “Atletico”
In 1921, “Atletico Madrid” officially separated from the club in Bilbao, becoming an independent entity. Eight years later, the team made its debut in the first division, starting a long journey in the elite of Spanish football. The first major success in the history of the club “Atletico” came in the 1940s when the team won the national championship title twice in a row. This achievement coincided with the period of the civil war, which only heightened the resonance of the victories.
The team’s stadium, built near Plaza de Armi, quickly became a symbol of struggle and bravery. Later, the arena moved to the area where the legendary “Wanda Metropolitano” now stands, with a capacity of up to 68,000 seats. The new arena opened up the possibility to host Champions League matches and derbies on a larger scale.
Jesus Gil and the era of radical changes
In the mid-1980s, the history of the club “Atletico” saw the beginning of the era of Jesus Gil – a controversial but extremely influential president. He reorganized the management structure, turned the team into a joint-stock company, initiated construction reforms, and turned the team into a brand. Despite frequent coaching changes and media scandals, in 1996, “Atletico” won a historic double – the league championship and the Spanish Cup, for the first time in half a century.
It was then that the nickname “Mattress Makers” acquired not only an aesthetic but also a symbolic meaning: the club became associated with hard work, perseverance, and hard-fought victories, as if after each game, the team lay down on a mattress, exhausted and heroic.
Rivalry with “Real”: the derby that changed the city
The history of the club “Atletico” is incomplete without mentioning the Madrid derby. For decades, “Real” represented the elite, while the “Mattress Makers” represented the people. This rivalry intensified in 2014 when the teams met in the Champions League final for the first time in history. Real Madrid emerged victorious, but the battle showed that “Atletico” had reached an international level.
Over the next six years, the team reached two more Champions League finals, both against their Madrid rival, suffering dramatic defeats. However, each time, the team’s growth was becoming more evident – from a solid defense to the tactical maturity brought by coach Diego Simeone.
Key achievements in the history of the club “Atletico”
The rich and controversial history of the club “Atletico” includes dozens of trophies. The team became La Liga champions three times in the 21st century and regularly won the Copa del Rey. Special value is placed on international successes – three Europa League victories (2010, 2012, 2018) and two UEFA Super Cups.
The club won the Intercontinental Cup in 1974, solidifying its status as a European giant. Victories in such tournaments symbolize international recognition of the structure and philosophy based on teamwork, minimal stars, and maximum effort.
Influence of stadiums: architectural symbolism
The stadiums of the club “Atletico” played not only a functional but also a philosophical role. The first home arena, located at Plaza de Armi, served as a modest venue for local meetings. In 1966, the team moved to the “Vicente Calderon” – a 54,000-seat arena located on the banks of the Manzanares River.
This space became a cult place. The narrow tunnel, the rising stands, the roar that turned the match into a volcano – everything intensified the atmosphere. In 2017, the stadium gave way to the new “Wanda Metropolitano.” The modern structure combined architecture and technology, increasing the club’s commercial power and making it a financial competitor even for giants like Real Madrid.
Symbols and nicknames: the cultural code of the “Mattress Makers”
The nickname “Mattress Makers” was not accidental. The club’s first kit included white and red vertical stripes, resembling traditional Spanish mattresses. This image became a symbol of hard work, resilience, and detachment from the glamour typical of other clubs.
In the media context, the word became synonymous with stubborn defense, playing for results, and loyalty to a style. Against phrases like “galacticos” and “aesthetics,” the nickname “Mattress Makers” acquired an anti-establishment shade, strengthening the team’s identity among fans.
Civil war and its impact on the club’s structure
During the Spanish Civil War, the team merged with an army club and temporarily bore the name “Atletico Aviacion.” This provided funding, new leadership, and preparation for a return to the top level. The kit changed, but the structure remained the same: the team was based on principles of work discipline and clear hierarchy.
The period of 1939-1947 laid the foundation for the club’s subsequent development. The army legacy left elements of strict discipline in the team, which were later used by Jesus Gil, introducing a vertical management model.
Contribution to Spanish and global football
The history of the club “Atletico” has shaped the face of Spanish football. The team has produced generations of tacticians, defenders, and coaches. Under the leadership of Diego Simeone, the club introduced a model of defensive efficiency based on smart zones, rotations, and well-planned counterattacks.
The philosophy of “Atletico” has influenced European teams – many began to copy the 4-4-2 formation with narrow lines and a focus on the toughness of the midfield. This was especially evident in Champions League matches against giants, where the Madrid team won not by style, but by character.
Stages of the club’s evolution:
- 1903 – founding of the club by Basque students in Madrid.
- 1921 – complete independence from “Athletic Bilbao,” affirmation of its own identity.
- 1940-1941 – two consecutive championship titles in the first division.
- 1974 – victory in the Intercontinental Cup, recognition on the world stage.
- 1996 – double: league championship and Copa del Rey.
- 2002 – return to the first division after relegation.
- 2010 – first Europa League victory, increased international influence.
- 2014 – Champions League final against “Real,” historic derby on a neutral ground.
- 2018 – opening of a new stadium and another Europa League victory.
- 2021 – championship under Simeone’s leadership, demonstration of project maturity.
History of the club “Atletico”: the essence
The history of the club “Atletico” is not just a chronicle of victories and defeats. It is a path of independence, constant struggle against the system, and the formation of its culture against all odds. From Plaza de Armi to the “Metropolitano,” from the Basques to Argentine tactics, from the army structure to media battles – the club has always remained true to itself. This resilience turns “Atletico” into a symbol of strength in Spanish and global football.
