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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Sports Desk • Soccer

Atlético Nacional

Atlético Nacional is a Colombian professional football club based in Medellín, Antioquia.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Atlético Nacional is a Colombian professional football club based in Medellín, Antioquia. Founded in 1947 as Club Atlético Municipal, it is one of the most successful and popular clubs in Colombia.

What it is

Atlético Nacional was founded on 30 April 1947 in Medellín under the name Club Atlético Municipal. It adopted its current name in 1950 and has played its home matches at Estadio Atanasio Girardot since 1953. The club is owned by Organización Ardila Lülle, which acquired it in 1996.

Why it matters

Atlético Nacional is widely regarded as Colombia's most decorated club, often called the "Rey de Copas." It has won multiple Categoría Primera A titles and two Copa Libertadores championships, making it a prominent force in South American football.

Key details

The club is known by the nickname Verdolaga and shares its stadium with local rival Independiente Medellín. Its green colours and large national fan base contribute to its status as one of Colombia's most popular teams.

In short

  • Founded in 1947 as Club Atlético Municipal, renamed Atlético Nacional in 1950.
  • Based in Medellín, home matches at Estadio Atanasio Girardot since 1953.
  • One of Colombia's most successful clubs, with multiple league titles and two Copa Libertadores wins.
  • Owned by Organización Ardila Lülle since 1996.
Canadian angle

Atlético Nacional has no direct Canadian base, but it is relevant to Canadian readers through international football coverage, South American club competitions, and the global player market.

Quick questions

When was Atlético Nacional founded?
It was founded on 30 April 1947 as Club Atlético Municipal.
Why did the club change its name?
It adopted the name Atlético Nacional in 1950 after beginning with the Municipal name.
What stadium does Atlético Nacional use?
Its home ground is Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín.

Sources

  1. El Tiempo — https://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/futbol-colombiano/atletico-nacional-la-creacion-de-un-gigante-del-futbol-colombiano-755632
    Supports: Founded in Medellín in 1947; name and early history; stadium location and home use.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atl%C3%A9tico_Nacional
    Supports: Founding details, original name, current name adoption, ownership, and fanbase claims.
  3. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historia_de_Atl%C3%A9tico_Nacional
    Supports: Official foundation date, original name, and 1950 renaming.
  4. Atlético Nacional — https://atlnacional.com.co/hitos-y-titulos/
    Supports: Club history milestone noting the name change to Club Atlético Nacional in 1950.
  5. Vavel Colombia — https://www.vavel.com/colombia/data/atletico-nacional/bio/
    Supports: Medellín base, official foundation date, and home stadium.
  6. FootballHistory.org — https://www.footballhistory.org/club/atletico-nacional.html
    Supports: Foundation year, city, home ground, and honours overview.