Atlético Nacional

Out of the many football clubs in Colombia, Club Atlético Nacional S.A. is arguably the most successful one. The reason is simple: their trophy room contains several national titles, four Copa Colombia trophies, and two Copa Libertadores titles. In 2016, the IFFHS ranked them as the best club in the world (which some would argue against, though). Despite some strong competition, Nacional is also the most popular club in Colombia by some margin. Atlético Nacional shouldn't be confused with Club Nacional de Football.

Basic facts

Founded: 1947
Country: Colombia
City: Medellín

Home grounds

Estadio Atanasio Girardot (1953–)

Main trophies

Categoría Primera A: 16
Copa Libertadores: 2

Prominent players

Faustino Asprilla, René Higuita

Club records

Most games played: Alexis García Gañán (443)
Top goalscorer: Víctor Aristizábal (146)

The Atlético Nacional players lined up before a game in 1954.
Photo: Eduardozer

History

Early struggles

The club was founded in 1947 by Luis Alberto Villegas López, former president of the Antioquian football league. The main purpose of the club was to promote sports in the city, which is why its official name was Club Atlético Municipal de Medellin. One year later, the club took part in the first edition of the Campeonato Professional, placing 6th.

In 1951, the club’s name was changed to Atlético Nacional to reflect the new philosophy of encouraging national sportsmen. This also led to introducing a new policy that stated that the club could only sign Colombian players. This policy would be occasionally reintroduced throughout the following two decades, hampering the club’s results. This was a big reason for Nacional’s title drought after winning the Campeonato in 1954.

Rise to power

After claiming their second national title in 1974, Nacional officially entered the new era by hiring Osvaldo Zubeldia as coach. Zubeldia’s continued focus on physical play and conditioning was a breath of fresh air for Nacional, leading to two championships in 1976 and 1981. This era came to an end in 1982, after Zubeldia suffered a fatal heart attack.

After playing second fiddle to América de Cali for most of the ‘80s, Nacional responded by assembling a team of talented Colombian internationals. Led by René Higuita, Alexis Garcia, and Leonel Álvarez, the new-look Nacional went all the way in the 1989 Copa Libertadores, defeating Millonarios, Danubio, and Olimpia on their way to the trophy. This was the first Copa Libertadores title for any Colombian club.

The club continued to perform well throughout the ‘90s, claiming three more national titles in 1991, 1994, and 1999. However, the assassination of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar – a fervent supporter of the club – in 1993 made a big impact on the club’s finances. Despite the fact that Escobar’s involvement with Nacional was never officially proven, the money he brought into the club allowed them to keep their best players from leaving.

New age excellence

In 2004, Nacional once again opened the doors to foreign players by signing Hugo Morales (Argentina) and Jorge Rojas (Venezuela). This decision paid off immediately, as the club won the Apertura in 2005 and both the Apertura and Finalización in 2007. After some brief setbacks during the years that followed, Nacional roared back by claiming another Apertura title in 2011.

By the end of the decade, Nacional won five more national titles. However, their crown achievement during this period was undoubtedly the second Copa Libertadores trophy, which arrived in 2016. Led by prolific goalscorer Miguel Borja, Nacional survived the challenges of Rosario Central, São Paulo, and Independiente del Valle to raise their second trophy in the competition.

By Martin Wahl

Logo

The two-colored logo is a merge of a tower at the top and a shield at the bottom. The initials "AN" is visible and obviously stand for Atlético Nacional, the name of the club. In the history of the club, other logos has been in use included versions with stars above the tower indicating titles.