Atlético Nacional
Encyclopedia
Corporación Deportiva Atlético Nacional is a Colombia
n football
team based in Medellín
. They play their home games at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot
stadium which also serves as home to Deportivo Independiente Medellín
. It is one of the most important clubs in Colombia (with eleven championships won), and an important football club in South America, having won the 1989 Copa Libertadores while making the era of south american football and Colombian football.
and Julio Ortiz. Atlético Nacional was the first Colombian team to win the Copa Libertadores de América, which they did in 1989. They were also runners-up in 1995. The winning of this cup was done in a special manner, since all of the team's players were Colombian; thus Atlético Nacional earned the nickname "Puros Criollos" (Pure Colombians).
The team has won the Fútbol Profesional Colombiano
eleven times, in 1954, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1991, 1994, 1999 (when there was only one champion per year), 2005, 2007-I, 2007-II, and 2011-I. For fifteen years, from 1989 to 2004, the team was the only Colombian team to win the Copa Libertadores (until Once Caldas
defeated Boca Juniors
). Until 1999, it was the only Colombian team to win any major international tournament (when América de Cali
defeated Independiente Santa Fe
in the Copa Merconorte
). The team is also the only Colombian club to reach the final stage of the Copa Sudamericana
, losing against Argentina's San Lorenzo
in 2002.
Atlético Nacional has been home to international stars like Faustino Asprilla
, René Higuita
, Víctor Aristizábal, Andrés Escobar
, Iván Córdoba, Leonel Álvarez, Alexis García
, Albeiro Usuriaga
, Aquivaldo Mosquera
, Mauricio Serna
, Juan Pablo Ángel
and others. The best foreign players in its history include Cesar Cueto and Oscar Rossi
. The team is currently owned by Carlos Ardila Lülle
of Organización Ardila Lülle, and Jaime Restrepo. Restrepo is the only person remaining from the founders (see above); the others sold their ownership to Carlos Ardila. The team wears green and white vertically striped jerseys. Nacional's mascot is Nacho, a tiger with green and white striped shirt. Nacho was created in 1998.
Atlético Nacional has had a long rivalry with Independiente Medellín
. When the two teams face each other it is considered one of the most important matches in Colombia
. Both teams share the same stadium (Estadio Atanasio Girardot
), and both teams have about the same number of fans within the city of Medellín
. The rivalry increased in the early 1990's as Independiente Medellín was growing stronger year by year. Currently both teams are considered among the top teams in Colombia
. Independiente is sometimes referred to having a Green Star since in the 2004-I
tournament they won the only final the two have ever faced. Atlético Nacional has 104 wins over Independiente Medellín, who have 70, with 81 games tied.
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team based in Medellín
Medellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
. They play their home games at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot
Estadio Atanasio Girardot
Estadio Atanasio Girardot is a multi-purpose stadium in Medellín, Colombia. It is currently used mostly for football matches by two local teams, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. It is part of the Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, which also contains other sports facilities...
stadium which also serves as home to Deportivo Independiente Medellín
Independiente Medellín
Corporación Deportiva Independiente Medellín is a professional Colombian football team competing in Fútbol Profesional Colombiano, the Colombian first division. The club is based in the city of Medellín and founded in 1913. It has won the league's national tournament known as Copa Mustang five...
. It is one of the most important clubs in Colombia (with eleven championships won), and an important football club in South America, having won the 1989 Copa Libertadores while making the era of south american football and Colombian football.
Overview
The club Unión, now known as Club Atlético Nacional, was founded in 1947 by Luis Alberto Villegas Lopera, Jorge Osorio, Alberto Eastman, Jaime Restrepo, Gilberto Molina, Raúl Zapata Lotero, Jorge Gómez Jaramillo, Arturo Torres PosadaArturo Torres Posada
Arturo Torres Posada was a former Colombian football executive.-Career:He was born to a poor family in a small village in the outskirts of Medellín in 1912. He would go on to boxing for a short time, and later completing his post-secondary studies in Argentina in the area of urban architecture....
and Julio Ortiz. Atlético Nacional was the first Colombian team to win the Copa Libertadores de América, which they did in 1989. They were also runners-up in 1995. The winning of this cup was done in a special manner, since all of the team's players were Colombian; thus Atlético Nacional earned the nickname "Puros Criollos" (Pure Colombians).
The team has won the Fútbol Profesional Colombiano
Fútbol Profesional Colombiano
The Categoría Primera A is the professional football league of Colombia. It is the country's premier football tournament and sits at the top of the Colombian football league system. Eighteen clubs play in the league. The División Mayor del Fútbol Profesional Colombiano, better known as Dimayor,...
eleven times, in 1954, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1991, 1994, 1999 (when there was only one champion per year), 2005, 2007-I, 2007-II, and 2011-I. For fifteen years, from 1989 to 2004, the team was the only Colombian team to win the Copa Libertadores (until Once Caldas
Once Caldas
Corporación Deportiva Once Caldas is a Colombian association football team, based in Manizales. They were the surprise winners of Copa Libertadores de América in 2004, mainly due to the performances of Juan Carlos Henao and Jhon Viáfara...
defeated Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
). Until 1999, it was the only Colombian team to win any major international tournament (when América de Cali
América de Cali
Corporación Deportiva América, commonly known as América de Cali or simply América is a Colombian football club based in Cali. They currently play in the Categoría Primera A, the top-flight professional league in the country....
defeated Independiente Santa Fe
Independiente Santa Fe
Independiente Santafe is a professional Colombian First Division football club based in Bogotá. It has won six First Division titles and two Copa Colombia titles....
in the Copa Merconorte
Copa Merconorte
The Copa Merconorte was an international football competition played from 1998 to 2001 by clubs from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and later the United States, Costa Rica and Mexico...
). The team is also the only Colombian club to reach the final stage of the Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
, losing against Argentina's San Lorenzo
Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro
Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro is an Argentine sports club based in Boedo neighbourhood, Buenos Aires, mostly known because of its football team....
in 2002.
Atlético Nacional has been home to international stars like Faustino Asprilla
Faustino Asprilla
Faustino Hernán "Tino" Asprilla Hinestroza is a former Colombian football player. He was known by his supporters in his home country as The Octopus for his voracious appetite...
, René Higuita
René Higuita
José René Higuita Zapata is a former Colombian football goalkeeper nicknamed El Loco...
, Víctor Aristizábal, Andrés Escobar
Andrés Escobar
Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga , nicknamed "The Gentleman of Football", was a Colombian footballer who was shot and killed in Medellín. It is widely believed that he was murdered due to his own goal in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which supposedly would have caused gambling losses to several powerful drug...
, Iván Córdoba, Leonel Álvarez, Alexis García
Alexis García
Alexis García is a former Colombian football player, a creative midfielder. Along with seven more siblings, he grew up in barrio la Floresta of Medellín where he started his career playing for Seleccion Antionquia...
, Albeiro Usuriaga
Albeiro Usuriaga
Albeiro Usuriaga López was a Colombian footballer who played as a striker.Nicknamed El Palomo, he played professionally in Colombia, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela, before being murdered at the age of 37.-Club career:Usuriaga first came to prominence with...
, Aquivaldo Mosquera
Aquivaldo Mosquera
Aquivaldo Mosquera Romaña is a Colombian footballer who plays for Mexican side Club América as a defender. He has a younger brother named Josimar who currently plays for Colón in Argentina.-Career:...
, Mauricio Serna
Mauricio Serna
Mauricio Alberto Serna Valencia is a retired Colombian football player who played 51 games for the Colombia national team between 1993 and 2001...
, Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...
and others. The best foreign players in its history include Cesar Cueto and Oscar Rossi
Oscar Rossi
Oscar Pablo Rossi , nicknamed Coco, is a former Argentine association football player. During his career in the 1950s and 1960s Rossi played for several clubs from Buenos Aires and was member of the Argentine squad in the 1962 FIFA World Cup.-Club career:Born in the Parque Patricios district of...
. The team is currently owned by Carlos Ardila Lülle
Carlos Ardila Lülle
Carlos Arturo Ardila Lülle is a Colombian entrepreneur and the founder and head of the Organización Ardila Lülle, a major Colombian conglomerate which controls companies such as RCN TV, the Postobon soft drink, and the Atlético Nacional soccer team. His net worth is estimated at over one billion U.S...
of Organización Ardila Lülle, and Jaime Restrepo. Restrepo is the only person remaining from the founders (see above); the others sold their ownership to Carlos Ardila. The team wears green and white vertically striped jerseys. Nacional's mascot is Nacho, a tiger with green and white striped shirt. Nacho was created in 1998.
Atlético Nacional has had a long rivalry with Independiente Medellín
Independiente Medellín
Corporación Deportiva Independiente Medellín is a professional Colombian football team competing in Fútbol Profesional Colombiano, the Colombian first division. The club is based in the city of Medellín and founded in 1913. It has won the league's national tournament known as Copa Mustang five...
. When the two teams face each other it is considered one of the most important matches in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Both teams share the same stadium (Estadio Atanasio Girardot
Estadio Atanasio Girardot
Estadio Atanasio Girardot is a multi-purpose stadium in Medellín, Colombia. It is currently used mostly for football matches by two local teams, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. It is part of the Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, which also contains other sports facilities...
), and both teams have about the same number of fans within the city of Medellín
Medellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
. The rivalry increased in the early 1990's as Independiente Medellín was growing stronger year by year. Currently both teams are considered among the top teams in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Independiente is sometimes referred to having a Green Star since in the 2004-I
2004-I Copa Mustang
The 2004 Categoría Primera A season is the 57th season of Colombia's top-flight football league.-Campeonato Apertura:The Campeonato Apertura was the first tournament of the season...
tournament they won the only final the two have ever faced. Atlético Nacional has 104 wins over Independiente Medellín, who have 70, with 81 games tied.
Los Puros Criollos
Being an incredible offensive team, Atletico Nacional was the only club, back then, that ever won a Copa Libertadores Cup with only Colombian nationalized players. Including well known Rene Higuita, Leonel Alvarez, and Andres Escobar and many more.National Honours
- Fútbol Profesional ColombianoFútbol Profesional ColombianoThe Categoría Primera A is the professional football league of Colombia. It is the country's premier football tournament and sits at the top of the Colombian football league system. Eighteen clubs play in the league. The División Mayor del Fútbol Profesional Colombiano, better known as Dimayor,...
: 11
-
- 1954, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2005-I, 2007-I2007-I Copa MustangThe 2007 Categoría Primera A season is the 60th season of Colombia's top-flight football league.-Campeonato Apertura:2007-I - Copa Mustang or Torneo Apertura 2007 is the 65th installment of the Mustang Cup. It began on February 4 with the opening match between Independiente Santa Fe and Atlético...
, 2007-II, 2011-I. - Runners-up (10): 1955, 1965, 1971, 1974, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2002-I, 2004-I, 2004-II
- 1954, 1973, 1976, 1981, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2005-I, 2007-I
International Honours
- Copa Libertadores de AméricaCopa Libertadores de AméricaThe Copa Santander Libertadores de América , known simply as the Copa Libertadores and originally known as the Copa Campeones de América , is an annual international club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960...
: 14 appearances
-
- 1989: Winner
- 1995Copa Libertadores 1995The 1995 edition of the Copa Libertadores saw Grêmio of Brazil as the champions after they defeated Atlético Nacional of Colombia in the finals.-Group 1:-Group 2:-Group 3:-Group 4:-Group 5:-Round of 16:...
: Runner-up
- Copa MerconorteCopa MerconorteThe Copa Merconorte was an international football competition played from 1998 to 2001 by clubs from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and later the United States, Costa Rica and Mexico...
: 4 appearances
-
- 1998: Winner
- 2000: Winner
- Copa SudamericanaCopa SudamericanaThe Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
: 4 appearances
-
- 2002: Runner-up
- Copa InteramericanaCopa InteramericanaCopa Interamericana was a football trophy contested between the champions of CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores de América and the winners of CONCACAF's Champions' Cup...
: 2 appearances
-
- 1990: Winner
- 1995: Winner
- Recopa SudamericanaRecopa SudamericanaThe Recopa Sudamericana is an annual football match-up between the reigning champions of the previous year's Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, South America's premier club competitions....
: 1 appearance
-
- 1989: Runners-up
- Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 1 appearance
-
- 1989: Runners-up
Friendly Tournaments
- Penalty Cup: 1 appearance
-
- 2006: Winner
- Copa Ciudad de Santa Fe: 1 appearance
-
- 2005: Winner
- America's Cup (USA): 1 appearance
-
- 2003: Winner
- Marlboro Cup: 1 appearance
-
- 1988: Winner
Current roster
- Last updated January 28, 2011.