Sevilla FC facts for kids
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| Full name | Sevilla Fútbol Club, S.A.D. | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Los Nervionenses Los Hispalenses Palanganas Blanquirrojos Rojiblancos Sevillistas (supporters) |
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| Short name | Sevilla | |||
| Founded | 1905 as Sevilla Foot-ball Club |
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| Ground | Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán | |||
| Capacity | 42,714 | |||
| Owner | Sevillistas de Nervión S. A. | |||
| President | José María del Nido Carrasco | |||
| Head coach | Xavier García Pimienta | |||
| League | La Liga | |||
| 2022–23 | La Liga, 12th of 20 | |||
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Sevilla Fútbol Club is a professional football team from Seville, Andalusia, Spain. They play in La Liga, which is the top football league in Spain.
Sevilla is famous for winning the UEFA Europa League seven times. This is more than any other club! They won it most recently in 2023. The club was officially started on January 25, 1905, but its roots go back to 1890. Sevilla has a big rivalry with their city neighbor, Real Betis.
Sevilla is the most successful football club in Andalusia. They have won many titles, including one league title in 1946 and five Spanish Cup titles. They also won one Spanish Super Cup and one UEFA Super Cup. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics even named them the "World's Best Club" in 2006 and 2007.
The club's home stadium is the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. It can hold over 42,000 fans. The stadium is named after Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, who was president of the club for 17 years.
Contents
The Story of Sevilla FC
How the Club Started
Football came to Seville in the late 1800s. British people living in the city, often working in businesses, started playing the sport. Sevilla Foot-ball Club was founded on January 25, 1890.
A group of young British and Spanish people created the club. They decided to play by "Association Rules," which are the rules of football we know today. They also chose "football" to be part of the club's name.
The first president was a Scottish man named Edward F. Johnston. He was the British vice-consul in Seville. The first captain was Hugh MacColl, another Scot.
To celebrate the club's start, they invited Huelva Recreation Club to play a match. This game happened on March 8, 1890. It was the first official football match ever played in Spain! Sevilla FC won 2–0.
Over the years, more football clubs formed in Seville. But Sevilla FC, being the oldest, was often the strongest. They won the first Copa de Sevilla in 1912. From 1915 to 1940, they won 17 out of 20 regional championships.
In 1928, the "National League Championships" (La Liga) started. Sevilla FC didn't join the First Division right away. They were promoted to the First Division in 1934.
Winning First Trophies
Sevilla FC won their first "Cup Champions" title in 1935. They won it again in 1939 and 1948. The 1945–46 season was very important. Sevilla FC won their first, and so far only, La Liga title! They finished second four other times.
Sevilla stayed in the First Division until 1968. They have never dropped below the Second Division since then. The club has also played in European tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
Many great players have played for Sevilla. Juan Arza was a top scorer in 1955 with 29 goals. About 30 Sevilla players have also played for the Spanish national team. Famous foreign players like Diego Maradona also played for Sevilla in the 1990s.
Sevilla FC's stadium, the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, opened in 1958. It's one of the biggest stadiums in Spain. It even hosted a World Cup semi-final match in 1982.
Building the New Stadium and More Success
After the Spanish Civil War, Sevilla had a very successful period. They won the 1946 La Liga title and two Copa del Rey titles. Their attackers were so good they were called los stukas, like the German bomber planes.
In 1954, the club decided to build a new, bigger stadium. The old one was too small for their growing number of fans. The president, Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, sadly passed away in 1956. The fans decided to name the new stadium after him.
The Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium opened on September 7, 1958. Sevilla played a friendly match against Real Jaén. The first official game was a 4-2 win against their rivals, Real Betis.
Challenges and Comebacks
In the 1970s, Sevilla had to sell some of its best players to pay off debts from building the stadium. They were relegated to the Second Division in 1968 and again in 1973.
In 1973, Sevilla signed their first black player, Biri Biri. He became a legend at the club. A group of super fans, called an ultra group, is even named after him today! Sevilla returned to the First Division in 1975.
In the 1990s, famous player Diego Maradona joined Sevilla for a season. Later, in 1995, the club faced problems and was almost relegated for financial reasons. Fans protested, and Sevilla was allowed to stay in La Liga.
However, they were relegated in 1997 and again in 2000. The club was in a tough spot. But a new coach, Joaquín Caparrós, helped them win the Second Division in 2001. This brought them back to the top league.
Winning Big in the 21st Century
In 2002, José María del Nido became president. He kept Caparrós as coach and Monchi as sporting director. This team started a new era of success.
In 2006, Sevilla won their first-ever European trophy! They defeated Middlesbrough 4-0 in the UEFA Cup Final. This was a huge win, especially since it was the club's 100th anniversary.
The next season, 2006–07, was even better. Sevilla won the 2006 UEFA Super Cup by beating Barcelona 3-0. They then won the UEFA Cup again, beating Espanyol in a penalty shootout. They also won the 2007 Copa del Rey Final and finished third in La Liga, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Sadly, in 2007, player Antonio Puerta passed away after a heart attack. This was a very sad time for the club. Despite this, Sevilla continued to achieve great things.
They won the 2007 Supercopa de España against Real Madrid. In 2010, Sevilla won the 2010 Copa del Rey Final again, beating Atlético Madrid 2-0.
The Unai Emery Era
In 2013, Unai Emery became the new manager. The club had some financial challenges and sold key players like Álvaro Negredo and Jesús Navas. But they brought in talented young players.
On May 14, 2014, Sevilla won their third UEFA Europa League title! They beat Benfica in a penalty shootout.
The next year, on May 27, 2015, they won the Europa League again! This time, they beat Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3-2. This made them the only club to win the competition four times.
And it didn't stop there! In 2016, Sevilla reached the Europa League final for a third time in a row. They faced Liverpool and won 3-1. This gave them their fifth Europa League title, setting a new record!
After Emery and More Trophies
After Unai Emery left in 2016, Jorge Sampaoli became manager. The club continued to invest in new players. In the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League season, Sevilla reached the quarter-finals for the first time in 60 years!
In 2019, Julen Lopetegui took over as manager. On August 16, 2020, Sevilla won their sixth Europa League title, beating Inter Milan 3-2 in the final.
And the success continued! On May 31, 2023, Sevilla won their record-extending seventh Europa League title. They beat Roma in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.
Club Leadership
Sevilla is run by a president and a board of directors. These leaders make important decisions for the club. The first president was Edward Farquharson Johnston.
In 1992, Sevilla FC became a "Sporting Limited Association." This changed how the president was chosen. Now, shareholders (people who own parts of the club) vote for the president.
Club Symbols
Anthems
Sevilla has two official songs:
- Official Anthem of Sevilla FC: This song was created in 1983.
- Centennial Anthem of Sevilla FC: This song was made in 2005 to celebrate 100 years since the club was officially registered. It became a huge hit in Spain and was the best-selling football club song ever in Spanish football!
Crest
The team's first crest was a simple circle with "SFC" (Sevilla Football Club) inside. It was designed by Juan Lafita.
In 1922, Pablo Rodríguez Blanco designed the second crest. It looks like a heart divided into three parts. It shows Christian saints from the city's coat of arms. On the right, you can still see the "SFC" initials. The red and white stripes are part of the club's colors.
Flag
Sevilla's flag is rectangular. It has a diagonal line from the bottom left to the top right. This divides it into two triangles: the top one is white, and the bottom one is red.
Kit
Sevilla first wore shirts with a sponsor in the 1986–87 season. The German company Adidas made their kits from 1980 to 1985. Since 2022, Castore has been making their kits.
Club Media
Sevilla has its own media! SFC Radio started in 2004 and broadcasts all day. SFC TV first aired in 2005. Now, you can watch it on the club's website. Sevilla also publishes a newspaper and a magazine for fans.
Current Players
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Coaching Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Xavier García Pimienta |
| Assistant coach | Álex García Albert Peris |
| Fitness coach | David Gómez Juan José del Ojo |
| Technical assistant | Juan Díaz |
| Goalkeeping coach | Nacho Torres |
| Analyst | Ramón Vázquez Juan Antonio Guzmán |
| Director of Football | Víctor Orta |
Club Facilities
The Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium
Before the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Sevilla played in different places. The idea for the new stadium started in 1937. Construction began in 1954. Manuel Muñoz Monasterio, who also designed Real Madrid's stadium, created the design.
The stadium opened on September 7, 1958. More parts were added in 1974, making it hold 70,000 people. For the 1982 FIFA World Cup, a special mosaic and new lights were added. The stadium hosted a World Cup semi-final and the 1986 European Cup Final.
Later, all standing areas were changed to seats. This reduced the capacity to 42,714. Today, the stadium also has the club's offices, a store, a museum, and a trophy room.
Training Grounds
The club's training facilities are called La Ciudad Deportiva (The Sporting City). The first team trains here, and the reserve and women's teams play their matches. These facilities opened in 1974. They have many grass and artificial pitches, changing rooms, a gym, and a medical center.
Sevilla's Achievements
Sevilla has won many trophies! They have won titles in their region, in Spain, and in Europe. They hold the record for winning the UEFA Europa League seven times. In 2010, they were given permanent possession of the Copa del Rey trophy.
- La Liga (Spanish League): 1 time (1945–46)
- Segunda División (Second Division): 4 times
- Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 5 times
- Supercopa de España (Spanish Super Cup): 1 time (2007)
- UEFA Europa League: 7 times (a record!)
- UEFA Super Cup: 1 time (2006)
- UEFA-CONMEBOL Club Challenge: 1 time (2023)
- Campeonato Regional Sur (Regional Cup): 17 times
Other Awards and Records
- Named the "Best club team of the world" in 2006 and 2007 by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
- The only team to win the UEFA Europa League three times in a row (2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16).
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Ramón de Carranza trophies (6)
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Colombino Trophy (4)
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Costa del Sol Trophy (2)
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Seville City Trophy (7)
Individual Player Awards
- Pichichi Trophy (Top Scorer in La Liga):
* Juan Arza (1955)
- Zarra Trophy (Top Spanish Scorer in La Liga):
* Álvaro Negredo (2011, 2013)
- Zamora Trophy (Best Goalkeeper in La Liga):
* Yassine Bounou (2022)
Player Records
Top Scorers in Club History
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campanal I |
226* |
| 2 | Juan Arza |
206 |
| 3 | Juan Araújo |
159 |
| 4 |  Frédéric Kanouté |
136 |
| 5 |  Luís Fabiano |
107 |
(*) Note: 43 goals from a regional tournament are not counted as official.
Most Official Appearances
| Rank | Player | Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jesús Navas |
700 |
| 2 | Pablo Blanco |
415 |
| 3 | Juan Arza |
414 |
| 4 | Manolo Jiménez |
413 |
| 5 | Campanal II |
403 |
Other Sevilla Teams
Sevilla has other teams besides the main men's football team:
- Sevilla Atlético: This is Sevilla's B team, founded in 1958. Many players, like Sergio Ramos and Jesús Navas, started here before joining the main team.
- Sevilla's women's team: They play in the top women's football league in Spain.
- Rowing Team: Sevilla also has a rowing team that competes against Real Betis in an annual race on the Guadalquivir river. Sevilla has won most of these races!
Fans and Rivalries
Fans
Sevilla has many loyal fans, especially in Seville and Andalusia. Fans who buy a yearly season ticket can attend all home matches. Many fan clubs exist, and they are independent from the main club.
Ultras
The "Biris Norte" is a group of passionate Sevilla supporters. They sit in the North grandstand of the stadium. The group is named after Biri Biri, a popular player from the 1970s. It's one of the oldest fan groups in Spain, started in 1974.
Rivalries
Sevilla has a big rivalry with their city neighbor, Real Betis. Their matches are called the Seville derby and are very important games in Spanish football. The first derby was played in 1915, and Sevilla won 4-3. Sevilla also has rivalries with Atlético Madrid and Valencia CF.
