Atlético Madrid Pays Tribute to Athletic Bilbao’s 125th Anniversary
Today, Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao faced off in an exciting Spanish La Liga matchup. But what made this fixture even more special was the fact that it marked Athletic Bilbao’s 125th anniversary. To honour their opponent’s milestone, Atlético chose to wear their orange third kit instead of their traditional red and white colours. Let’s dive in and find out why.
Athletic Bilbao is one of the most iconic clubs in all of Spanish football, having been founded in 1898. Over the years, they have won numerous titles, including 8 La Liga championships, 23 Copa del Rey trophies, and 3 Europa League crowns. As such, it makes perfect sense for Atlético to want to recognize and celebrate their rival’s impressive accomplishments with a special gesture like wearing their alternate kits for today’s match.
In addition to changing up their kit for the match, Atlético also took part in another unique form of tribute to Athletic Bilbao – by displaying a banner with the club’s crest at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium before kickoff. This was done as a sign of respect and admiration for both the history and success of one of Spain’s most storied football clubs.
Along with these gestures from Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao also celebrated its 125th anniversary by inviting former players back to San Mames stadium as well as unveil Atlético Madrid jerseys. All these efforts combined resulted in an unforgettable atmosphere that highlighted just how special this occasion truly was.
Today marked an incredibly significant day not only in Athletic Bilbao’s history but also Spanish Football as a whole. It was heart-warming to see both teams come together to pay tribute to such an esteemed club on its 125th anniversary. From changing up their kits, banners at stadiums and special events all around the city – everyone involved put forth tremendous effort into making sure this day was celebrated properly. Here’s wishing many more successful years ahead for Athletic Bilbao!