Atlético Junior facts for kids
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Full name | Club Deportivo Popular Junior Fútbol Club S.A. | |||
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Nickname(s) |
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Founded | 7 August 1924 | (as Juventud Infantil)|||
Ground | Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez | |||
Capacity | 46,692 | |||
Owner | Fuad Char | |||
President | Antonio Char | |||
Manager | Alfredo Arias | |||
League | Categoría Primera A | |||
2023 | Primera A, 6th of 20 (Finalización champions) | |||
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Junior F.C. S.A. is a professional football team from Barranquilla, Colombia. People often call them Junior de Barranquilla or just Junior. They play in the top Colombian football league, Categoría Primera A. Junior is known as the main team from the Caribbean part of Colombia.
The club was started on August 7, 1924. Their nicknames include Los Tiburones (The Sharks) and Los Rojiblancos (The Red-and-Whites). Junior has won the Colombian championship ten times. They won in 1977, 1980, 1993, 1995, 2004 (Finalización), 2010 (Apertura), 2011 (Finalización), 2018 (Finalización), 2019 (Apertura), and 2023 (Finalización). Many famous players have played for Junior, like Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama, Iván Valenciano, Teófilo Gutiérrez, Carlos Bacca, and Luis Díaz.
Contents
Club History: Junior's Journey
In the early 1920s, a team called Juventus started in Barranquilla. It was mostly made up of Italian immigrants. In August 1924, some younger players from Juventus and other young men created a new team. They called it Juventud Infantil.
Around the 1940s, the club's name became simply Junior. They quickly became one of the best football clubs in Colombia. In 1945, Junior's players were chosen to represent Colombia. They played in the South American Championship, which is now called the Copa América. They finished in a good fifth place.
In 1948, Junior was one of the founding teams of the División Mayor del Fútbol Profesional Colombiano (Dimayor). This was the start of professional football in Colombia. Junior played their first professional match on August 15, 1948. They won 2-0 against Deportivo Cali.
The late 1940s and early 1950s were a special time for Colombian football. It was called El Dorado. During this time, many famous players from around the world came to play in Colombia. Junior also brought in great players from Brazil, Argentina, and other countries.
Junior won their first Colombian championship in 1977. They have continued to win many titles since then. They also won the Copa Colombia in 2015 and 2017. Junior has played in important international tournaments. They have been in the Copa Libertadores eighteen times. In 1994, they reached the semi-finals of that competition. They also reached the final of the Copa Sudamericana in 2018.
Team Symbols: Badge and Flag
Junior's Badge: What It Means
Junior's team badge is shaped like a shield. It has two main parts. The bottom part has nine red and white stripes that go up and down. The top part is a dark blue stripe. On this blue stripe, you can see white five-pointed stars. Each star shows a championship that the team has won. The word "JUNIOR" is written in white across the middle of the badge.
Junior's Flag: Colors and Stars
The flag of Junior has nine stripes. Five of these stripes are red, and four are white. They alternate, with red stripes at the very top and bottom. On the left side of the flag, there is a blue triangle. This triangle goes all the way from the top to the bottom of the flag. White five-pointed stars are placed on the blue triangle. These stars also represent the Colombian championships the team has won.
Team Achievements: Junior's Trophies
National Championships
- Categoría Primera A (Top League)
- Winners (10): 1977, 1980, 1993, 1995, 2004–II, 2010–I, 2011–II, 2018–II, 2019–I, 2023–II
- Copa Colombia (Colombian Cup)
- Winners (2): 2015, 2017
- Superliga Colombiana (Superliga)
- Winners (2): 2019, 2020
International Competitions
- Copa Sudamericana
- Runners-up (1): 2018 (They reached the final but didn't win)
Junior in CONMEBOL Tournaments
Junior has played in several big South American football tournaments.
- Copa Libertadores: 18 times
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- Copa Sudamericana: 10 times
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- Copa CONMEBOL: 1 time
- 1992: Quarter-finals
Junior's Players
Current Team Squad
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Players on Loan
These players are currently playing for other teams.
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Junior's World Cup Players
These players were part of their country's team for the FIFA World Cup while playing for Junior.
Carlos Hoyos (1990)
Alexis Mendoza (1994)
José María Pazo (1994)
Luis Carlos Perea (1994)
Carlos Valderrama (1994)
Iván René Valenciano (1994)
Jorge Bolaño (1998)
Alberto Rodríguez (2018)
Team Captains Through the Years
Hermenegildo Segrera (1966–1971)
Dulio Miranda (1972–1973)
Gabriel Berdugo (1974–1982)
Dulio Miranda (1983–1985)
Alexis Mendoza (1985–1990)
Gabriel Martínez (1990–1992)
Carlos Valderrama (1993–1995)
Jorge Bolaño (1996–1999)
Marquinho (1999–2004)
Roberto Peñaloza (2004–2005)
Hayder Palacio (2005–2007)
Giovanni Hernández (2008–2012)
Sebastián Viera (2012–2023)
Carlos Bacca (2023–present)
Team Staff
Coaching and Support Staff
Position | Staff |
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Manager | ![]() |
Assistant manager | ![]() |
Fitness coach | ![]() |
Source:
Notable Players: Junior's Legends
Players with Most Appearances
These players have played the most games for Junior.
Rank | Player | Games Played |
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1. | ![]() |
627 |
2. | ![]() |
445 |
3. | ![]() |
432 |
4. | ![]() |
417 |
5. | ![]() |
392 |
6. | ![]() |
379 |
7. | ![]() |
367 |
8. | ![]() |
363 |
9. | ![]() |
341 |
10. | ![]() |
333 |
Players with Most Goals
These players have scored the most goals for Junior.
Rank | Player | Goals Scored |
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1. | ![]() |
180 |
2. | ![]() |
131 |
3. | ![]() |
94 |
4. | ![]() |
86 |
5. | ![]() |
81 |
6. | ![]() |
78 |
7. | ![]() |
70 |
8. | ![]() |
65 |
9. | ![]() |
56 |
10. | ![]() |
55 |
Famous Players from Junior's History
Many great players have been part of Junior's team over the years.
Juan Ramón Verón
Dida
Garrincha
Heleno de Freitas
Carlos Bacca
Yimmi Chará
Luis Díaz
Teófilo Gutiérrez
Giovanni Hernández
Alexis Mendoza
Didier Moreno
Víctor Pacheco
Efraín "El Caimán" Sánchez
Iván Valenciano
Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama
Julio César Uribe
Sebastián Viera
International Players Who Played for Junior
These players also played for their national teams while at Junior.
Daniel Carnevali
René Higuita
Juan Fernando Quintero
Matías Fernández
Alberto Rodríguez
Affiliated Clubs
See also
In Spanish: Junior de Barranquilla para niños