Clube Atlético Mineiro facts for kids
 |
||||
| Full name | Clube Atlético Mineiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Galo (Rooster) Galo Forte Vingador (The Strong and Victorious Rooster) |
|||
| Short name | Atlético-MG CAM |
|||
| Founded | 25 March 1908 (as Athletico Mineiro Foot-Ball Club) | |||
| Ground | Arena MRV | |||
| Capacity | 46,000 | |||
| SAF Owner | Galo Holding (75%) | |||
| President | Sérgio Coelho | |||
| Head coach | Gabriel Milito | |||
| League | Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Campeonato Mineiro |
|||
| 2022 2022 |
Série A, 7th of 20 Mineiro, 1st of 12 (champions) |
|||
|
||||
Clube Atlético Mineiro, often called Atlético Mineiro or just Galo (which means "Rooster" in Portuguese), is a famous football club from Belo Horizonte, the capital city of Minas Gerais in Brazil. The team plays in Brazil's top football league, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and also in the main state league, the Campeonato Mineiro.
Atlético Mineiro is the oldest active football club in Minas Gerais. It was started on March 25, 1908, by 22 students in Belo Horizonte. Even though its founders were from wealthy families, the club quickly welcomed players from all backgrounds. This made it known as a "people's club." Today, it's the second most popular club in its state and the eighth most popular in Brazil. The club's mascot, a rooster, became strongly linked to Atlético in the 1930s. That's why "Galo" is now a common nickname for the team. Atlético's home uniform is a black-and-white striped shirt, black shorts, and white socks.
The club has won the Campeonato Mineiro a record 49 times! Nationally, Atlético has won the Campeonato Brasileiro three times (in 1937, 1971, and 2021). They've also won the Copa do Brasil twice, the Supercopa do Brasil once, and the Copa dos Campeões da Copa Brasil once. In international club football, Atlético has won the Copa Libertadores and the Recopa Sudamericana once each. They also hold a record two Copa CONMEBOL titles. The team has reached three other major international finals. Besides football, the club has also had successful teams in other sports, especially futsal.
Atlético plays its home games at the Arena MRV, which can hold over 46,000 fans. The stadium was finished in 2023. Atlético has a big local rivalry with Cruzeiro, known as the Clássico Mineiro. They also have rivalries with América Mineiro and Flamengo. Atlético Mineiro is one of the most valuable football brands in Brazil and has one of the largest fanbases. In late 2023, Galo Holding bought 75% of the club, helping to pay off some of its debts.
Contents
History of Atlético Mineiro
Early Years and First Trophies (1908–1949)
Clube Atlético Mineiro was founded on March 25, 1908. Its first name was Athletico Mineiro Foot Ball Club. The team played its first game on March 21, 1909, winning 3–0. In 1913, the club's name officially changed to Clube Atlético Mineiro. The next year, Atlético won its first trophy, the Taça Bueno Brandão. In 1915, they won the very first Campeonato Mineiro, the state league of Minas Gerais.
Atlético won the state league again in 1926. In 1927, three amazing forwards – Mário de Castro, Said, and Jairo – formed a group called the "Unholy Trio." They helped Atlético win another state title. In 1929, the club played its first international match against a Portuguese team, winning 3–1. This game was played at their new home stadium, the Presidente Antônio Carlos Stadium.
Atlético became a professional club in 1933. After winning the state league in 1936, Atlético won the first-ever national league, the 1937 Campeonato Brasileiro. This was a big achievement for the club. They won two more Campeonato Mineiro titles in 1938 and 1939. The 1940s were also successful, with the club winning the state league five more times. During this time, a new rivalry started with Cruzeiro, who became Atlético's main competitor.
The "Ice Champions" and Mineirão Era (1950–1969)
In 1950, Atlético moved to a new stadium, the Estádio Independência. That year, they won another state title and went on their first European tour. They played ten games in five countries, even in snow! This was a big deal for Brazilian football. The team was nicknamed the Campeões do Gelo ("Ice Champions"), a name still remembered in the club's song. Atlético continued to dominate the state league, winning five titles in a row from 1952 to 1956.
In 1965, a new, bigger stadium called Mineirão opened in Belo Horizonte, and it became Atlético's new home. The rivalry with Cruzeiro grew stronger in the mid-1960s. Atlético also played well in friendly matches against national teams. In 1968, Atlético, representing Brazil, beat Yugoslavia 3–2. The next year, they even beat the Brazilian national team that would go on to win the 1970 FIFA World Cup!
National Glory and State Dominance (1970–1989)
In 1971, Atlético won its first Campeonato Brasileiro (national championship). This was the first time this competition was held. Led by captain Oldair and with Dario as the top scorer, Atlético beat São Paulo and Botafogo in the final stage. This win also allowed them to play in the 1972 Copa Libertadores, a big South American competition.
After a few years without trophies, Atlético won the state league again in 1976. This period saw many talented young players from the club's youth teams, like Reinaldo, Toninho Cerezo, and Éder. These players helped Atlético win six state league titles in a row from 1978 to 1983! In 1977, Atlético finished second in the Brasileirão, even though they didn't lose a single game. Reinaldo, their star player, was banned from the final.
In 1978, Atlético reached the Copa Libertadores semi-finals. They also won the Copa dos Campeões Brasileiros. In 1980, Atlético lost a controversial national final to Flamengo. During the 1980s, Atlético was one of Brazil's top teams, winning many state titles and playing well nationally. However, they often lost in the final stages of national competitions.
International Success and Challenges (1990–2009)
In the 1990s, Atlético won the state league in 1991. They also found success internationally in 1992, winning the first-ever Copa CONMEBOL. This was their first official international title! They won the Copa CONMEBOL again in 1997. Despite these wins and good performances in the national league, the club faced financial problems due to poor management.
In 2005, Atlético was relegated to the Série B, the second division of the national league. However, they quickly bounced back, winning the Série B in 2006 and returning to the top league in 2007. In 2007, they also won the Campeonato Mineiro, their first trophy in seven years. The 2000s were a challenging time for the club, with many changes in coaches and continued financial issues.
A New Golden Age (2010-Present)
In 2012, a new successful era began for Atlético with coach Cuca. The arrival of famous player Ronaldinho that year was a big moment. Atlético finished second in the national league, earning a spot in the 2013 Copa Libertadores.
In 2013, with players like Ronaldinho, Jô, and Bernard, Atlético won the Campeonato Mineiro. In the Copa Libertadores, a crucial penalty save by goalkeeper Victor in the quarter-finals was seen as a sign that the club's bad luck was over. Atlético then won the Copa Libertadores for the first time, beating Olimpia in a penalty shootout! They later played in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup but finished third.
Under coach Levir Culpi in 2014, Atlético won its first Recopa Sudamericana. They also won their first Copa do Brasil that year, beating their rivals Cruzeiro in the final! This was a historic win. In 2015, they won the Campeonato Mineiro again and finished second in the national league.
Atlético continued its success in the 2020s. On December 2, 2021, Atlético won its third Série A title after 49 years! Less than two weeks later, they won their second Copa do Brasil trophy. In February 2022, Atlético won the 2022 Supercopa do Brasil after a long penalty shootout against Flamengo. On April 7, 2024, Atlético won the 2024 Campeonato Mineiro for the fifth year in a row, a feat they hadn't achieved in 42 years!
Club Symbols and Colors
Club Crest
Atlético Mineiro's first badge, from the 1910s, was simple: the letters "CAM" (for Clube Atlético Mineiro) in black, inside an oval shape. In 1922, they changed it to a shield shape with the letters at the top and black and white stripes below. This shield design has stayed mostly the same ever since. In the 1970s, a golden star was added above the badge to celebrate their 1971 national title, and it's still there today.
Club Mascot
Atlético's mascot, a rooster, is very famous in Brazil. A cartoonist named Fernando Pierucetti designed it in 1945. He said the rooster was chosen because the team played with lots of passion and never gave up, just like gamecocks.
Over time, "galo" (rooster) became a popular chant for fans and a nickname for the club. The nickname is even in the club's official song, which calls Atlético a "strong and avenging rooster." In 1976, a costumed rooster mascot was introduced at games. In 2005, a new mascot called Galo Doido ("Crazy Rooster") became very popular with the fans.
Team Kits
Atlético's home uniform has always been a black-and-white striped shirt, black shorts, and white or black socks. The away kit is usually all white. In 2008, a special black-and-gold striped kit was made to celebrate the club's 100th birthday. The number 12 jersey is retired from the club's kits. It's dedicated to the fans, who are seen as the "12th man" on the field.
Home Stadiums
Atlético had its first home field in 1912. Their main stadium for many years was the Presidente Antônio Carlos stadium, which opened in 1929. It was one of the first stadiums in Brazil to have lights for night games.
In 1950, the club moved to the newer and larger Estádio Independência. This stadium was built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Atlético used it as their main home until 1965. They also played there again from 2012 to 2019 while the Mineirão stadium was being renovated.
The Mineirão stadium opened in 1965 and quickly became Atlético's new home. It was much bigger, holding over 100,000 fans. Most of Atlético's most important matches have been played at the Mineirão. It was closed for renovations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and now holds about 61,846 people.
Since 2023, Atlético's main home is the Arena MRV. This new stadium was built specifically for the club and can hold over 46,000 spectators.
Atlético also has excellent training facilities. Cidade do Galo ("Rooster City") is their main training center. It's considered one of the best in Brazil and even hosted the Argentina national football team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Atlético Mineiro Supporters
Atlético Mineiro was founded by students from wealthy families, but it quickly welcomed players from all social backgrounds. This made it known as a "people's club" in Belo Horizonte. Because of this wide support, the fans are collectively known as "A Massa" (which means "the mass" or "the crowd"). Atlético has the eighth largest fanbase in Brazil, with over five million supporters.
The club has many organized fan groups, like Galoucura, which is the largest and most well-known. Another group, the Charanga, is a brass band that plays music during home matches. After some amazing comebacks in 2013 and 2014, the fans adopted the motto "Eu acredito" ("I believe") to show their support in tough situations. As mentioned before, the number 12 jersey is retired to honor the fans.
Atlético has had the best average attendance in the national league nine times since 1972. They also have the second highest total attendance in Brazilian football history, with over 13 million tickets sold for home games. The 2013 Copa Libertadores final, played at the Mineirão, had a huge crowd of 58,620 people and made a record amount of money from ticket sales in South American football.
Every year on March 25, the club's founding day, "Atleticano Day" is officially celebrated in Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais. Atlético also has an affiliation program called Galo na Veia where fans can become members to get discounted tickets and other benefits.
Major Rivalries
Clássico Mineiro (Atlético vs. Cruzeiro)
The biggest local rivalry for Atlético is with Cruzeiro, known as the Clássico Mineiro ("Mineiro Derby"). This rivalry became very strong in the 1960s. Atlético had the upper hand in the early years, but Cruzeiro became a strong challenger later on. The clubs don't always agree on the exact number of matches played, but Atlético generally has more wins. The only national final between the two clubs was in the 2014 Copa do Brasil, which Atlético won. The biggest win in this derby was Atlético's 9–2 victory in 1927.
Atlético vs. América Mineiro
Another local rivalry is with América Mineiro. This was once called the Clássico das Multidões ("Derby of the Masses"). América was very strong in the early years, winning many state titles. However, when Atlético became a professional club, América faced some challenges, and Atlético became the stronger team between the two.
Atlético vs. Flamengo
Atlético also has a big rivalry with Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro. This rivalry grew in the 1980s because of many intense and controversial matches between the two clubs in national and international competitions. It's considered the biggest interstate rivalry in Brazilian football.
Club Records and Statistics
João Leite holds the record for most appearances for Atlético, playing 684 matches. Reinaldo is the club's all-time top goalscorer with 255 goals. In 1977, he scored 28 goals in just 18 games, setting a record for goals per match in the league. Dadá Maravilha is second with 211 goals. Argentine striker Lucas Pratto is Atlético's top foreign goalscorer with 41 goals. Telê Santana was the longest-serving head coach, managing the team for 434 matches.
Atlético's biggest win ever was 13–0 against Calafate in 1927. In the national league, their biggest win was 7–1 against Desportiva Ferroviária in 1982. The club holds the Brazilian record for the longest unbeaten run at home, with 54 matches without a loss from 2011 to 2013. The most expensive player bought by Atlético was André in 2012, costing about €8 million. The most expensive player sold by the club was Bernard in 2013, for €25 million.
Club Organization and Finances
Atlético Mineiro is a non-profit organization. It's run by a General Assembly, a Deliberative Council, and a Board. Fans who are part of the Galo na Veia program can't vote or be elected to these positions.
In 2016, a study showed that the club's brand was worth over R$515 million (€143 million), making it one of the most valuable in Brazil. In 2015, Atlético's yearly income was R$244.6 million (€62.2 million). The club has sponsorship deals with companies like Caixa Econômica Federal.
Other Sports at Atlético Mineiro
Futsal (Indoor Football)
Atlético Mineiro had a very successful futsal (indoor football) team in the 1990s. They won the Brazilian Liga Futsal twice, in 1997 and 1999. They also won the Intercontinental Futsal Cup in 1998. In 1999, a futsal final match had 25,713 people watching, which was a world record for the sport! The professional futsal team stopped playing in 2001, and the entire department closed in 2009.
American Football
In 2018, Atlético Mineiro started an American football team called Galo Futebol Americano. In its first season, the team won its conference and then won the Brasil Bowl, becoming national champions!
Olympic Sports
Atlético Mineiro also had teams in other Olympic sports like athletics and volleyball. In 1983, a runner named João da Mata won the famous São Silvestre road race as an Atlético athlete. The club's men's volleyball team won the Minas Gerais Volleyball Championship twelve times.
Honours
Atlético Mineiro has won many titles throughout its history. Their first trophy was the Taça Bueno Brandão in 1914.
| Continental | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Copa Libertadores | 1 | 2013 |
| Recopa Sudamericana | 1 | 2014 |
| Copa CONMEBOL | 2 | 1992, 1997 |
| National | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série A | 3 | 1937, 1971, 2021 |
| Copa do Brasil | 2 | 2014, 2021 |
| Supercopa do Brasil | 1 | 2022 |
| Campeonato Brasileiro Série B | 1 | 2006 |
| Copa dos Campeões da Copa Brasil | 1 | 1978 |
| State | ||
| Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
| Campeonato Mineiro | 49 | 1915, 1926, 1927, 1931, 1932, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Taça Minas Gerais | 5s | 1975, 1976, 1979, 1986, 1987 |
- record
- s shared record
Other Trophies
- Taça Belo Horizonte (3): 1970, 1971, 1972
- Torneio Início do Campeonato Mineiro (8): 1928, 1931, 1932, 1939, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1954
- Champions Cup (FMF) (1): 1974
- Torneio Incentivo Mineiro (1): 1993
City Trophies
- Taça Bueno Brandão (1): 1914
- Copa Belo Horizonte (1): 1959
Friendly Tournament Wins
- Trofeo Conde de Fenosa (1): 1976
- Trofeo Cidade de Vigo (1): 1977
- Trofeo Costa del Sol (1): 1980
- Trofeo Villa de Bilbao (1): 1982
- Tournoi de Paris (1): 1982
- Bern Tournament (1): 1983
- Amsterdam Tournament (1): 1984
- Ramón de Carranza Trophy (1): 1990
- Copa Centenário de Belo Horizonte (1): 1997
- Three Continents Cup (1): 1999
- Florida Cup (1): 2016
Runner-up Finishes
- Copa Libertadores (1): 2024
- Copa CONMEBOL (1): 1995
- Copa de Oro (1): 1993
- Copa Masters CONMEBOL (1): 1996
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (5): 1977, 1980, 1999, 2012, 2015
- Copa do Brasil (2): 2016, 2024
- Primeira Liga (1): 2017
- Campeonato Mineiro (39): 1916, 1917, 1918, 1921, 1923, 1928, 1929, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1948, 1951, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019
- Taça Minas Gerais (4): 1973, 1982, 1983, 1985
Images for kids
-
Clube Atlético Mineiro headquarters in Belo Horizonte.
