Founded in Madrid in 1903, Atletico have often lived in Real Madrid's shadow yet boast 11 La Liga titles and three Europa League trophies. A golden era from the 1960s to 1970s produced five league championships.

Diego Simeone's appointment in 2011 transformed the club into a European powerhouse. The 2013-14 campaign yielded a La Liga title and Champions League final, while 2020-21 brought another league triumph after an 18-year wait. Simeone's defensive resilience and counter-attacking football, dubbed "Cholismo", has influenced the global game.

Simeone's reign enters its 14th year in 2025-26, one of the longest tenures in top European football. While defensive discipline and mental toughness remain the bedrock, arrivals such as Julian Alvarez and Alex Baena have added attacking sophistication to create a more balanced side.

He typically deploys a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 depending on the opponent. The Griezmann-Alvarez partnership blends creativity with finishing, while Oblak remains world-class. The mentality of "fighting for every victory" is deeply embedded in the club's DNA.

The Civitas Metropolitano, opened in 2017 with a 70,460 capacity, replaced the beloved Vicente Calderon. It hosted the 2019 Champions League final and has established itself as one of Europe's premier stadiums.