Atletico Madrid team guide: History, trophies won and notable former players of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup club

One of Europe's perennial European greats, Atletico Madrid are the dangerous third wheel to La Liga's leading lights of Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

Despite the dominance of Spain's biggest names, Atletico have still been champions 11 times in their history, with the most recent coming in 2021. 

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Atletico Madrid team guide

Location

Atletico are one of three La Liga teams in Spain’s capital city of Madrid. 

Metropolitano Stadium is located in the Rosas neighbourhood in the San Blas-Canillejas district.

Origin

The club was founded in 1903 as Athletic Club de Madrid by three Basque students living in Madrid.

These founders saw the new club as a youth branch of their childhood team, Athletic Bilbao. They began playing in the blue and white colours of Athletic Bilbao but switched to red and white soon after, the colours they are now synonymous with.

Nicknames

• Rojiblancos (The Red-Whites)
• Colchoneros (Mattress Makers) 
• Indios (Indians) 

Trophies won

They may not share the Real Madrid-Barcelona spotlight, but Atletico have reigned in Spain on eleven occasions, with the most recent title win coming in 2021. 

They’ve also won three Europa League titles – all coming in the space of eight seasons. 

• La Liga (11)
• Copa del Rey (10) 
• UEFA Europa League (3)
• UEFA Super Cup (3)
• UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1) ​​​

Notable former players

Atletico have seen some top players wear the red and white stripes – particularly in attack. Some of the game’s greatest strikers have played for Atletico. 

• Luis Aragones (1964-1974)
• Diego Simeone (1994-1997 and 2003-2005) 
• Fernando Torres (2001-2007 and 2015-2018)  
• Sergio Aguero (2006-2011) 
• Diego Forlan (2007-2011)
• Diego Godin (2010-2019) 
• Radamel Falcao (2011-2013)​

Top scorer (La Liga 24/25) - Alexander Sørloth (17 goals)

In his first season with the club after joining from Villarreal last summer, Sørloth has seamlessly adjusted to his new surroundings by leading his new side in league goals.

Manager - Diego Simeone (ARG) 

Now in his fourteenth year in charge of Atletico, Simeone is the longest-serving manager in La Liga and remains a favourite with the Atletico fans. 

During his tenure, he's led the club to two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues and two Super Cups as well as the club's two Champions League finals. 

He'll surely go down as the Rojiblancos' greatest-ever boss. 

How Atletico Madrid qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Atletico Madrid are one of a dozen UEFA teams competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and qualify as the sixth-best ranked eligible team in the -year ranking. 

Atletico Madrid group, schedule at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Atletico have been drawn into Group B with PSG, Botafogo and Seattle Sounders. 

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