brief history of football in Colombia
Football is the most popular and beloved sport among Colombians today, but its path to becoming so wasn’t easy. Here, we’ll try to give you a crash course on Colombian football for foreign travelers.
Football arrived in Colombia in the early 20th century, mainly through the port of Barranquilla, brought by military personnel and crews of European merchant ships (especially English). From there, it spread across the country, although it didn’t enjoy much commercial success during the first half of the century.
In 1948, Colombia’s professional league was founded, with teams from the country’s major cities: Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios from Bogotá; Deportivo Cali and América from Cali; Junior from Barranquilla, Independiente Medellín and Atlético Nacional from Medellín, among others. The first champion was Independiente Santa Fe, and in its early decades, the league was dominated by Bogotá-based teams.
Today, football moves masses in every corner of the country, with fanbases like Atlético Nacional (estimated 11 million supporters in Colombia) and Independiente Medellín, with crowds of 25,000 to 40,000 attending each match. Still, it’s a world largely unknown to many foreign tourists (especially non-Latinos).
The identity of Colombian football fans has been shaped by passion, loyalty, and above all, hope. The local supporter culture mixes elements from Argentine “barras bravas” (which were inspired by 70s and 80s English hooliganism) with Colombian folklore and identity. By the late 90s, Colombia saw the rise of its own “barra” movement, emulating the chants, flags (called “trapos”), and musical instruments seen across South America.
The Structure of Colombian Football
Colombian professional football has 40 teams under its top division (DIMAYOR), with 20 teams in the first division (Liga BetPlay) and 16 in the second (Torneo BetPlay). Each team holds one seat and one vote within DIMAYOR, something that, in my opinion, has hindered the league’s growth, as teams prioritize their own interests over the league’s development.
For example, the Argentine promotion/relegation system was imported to protect the traditional or “big” teams from being relegated. Unlike most European leagues, this system considers the average points from the last three years to determine which two teams are relegated.
Each year features two tournaments: the Apertura (February to July) and the Clausura (July to December). Each tournament awards a star to the champion and a spot in the Copa Libertadores (South America’s version of the Champions League). There is also the Copa Colombia (similar to the FA Cup or Copa del Rey), which grants a berth to the Copa Sudamericana (South America’s Europa League).
Other international spots are determined by factors like the Superliga champion (Apertura champion vs Clausura champion from the previous year), or the global table standings (sum of all points across both tournaments).
Major Football Clubs to Know in Colombia
Atlético Nacional – Known as “El Verde Paisa,” it’s the country’s biggest and most popular team. With 18 domestic titles and two Copa Libertadores trophies, it has forged a national fanbase thanks to its continental success since the late 80s.
Independiente Medellín (DIM) – “El Poderoso de la Montaña” is one of Colombia’s oldest clubs (alongside Deportivo Cali), with over 110 years of history. Nicknamed “El Equipo del Pueblo” or “Rey de Corazones”, it’s beloved for its passionate and loyal fans. It has won 6 league titles and reached a Copa Libertadores semifinal in 2003.
Millonarios – A traditional club from the capital, Bogotá. It earned its name after acquiring several players from River Plate’s legendary team “La Máquina,” including Alfredo Di Stéfano, prompting local press to nickname them “Los Millonarios.” They are the second-most decorated domestic team with 16 titles, though internationally they remain mostly absent.
América de Cali – Perhaps Colombia’s second-most recognized team continentally, having reached four Copa Libertadores finals (1985, 1986, 1987, 1996), though never managing to win. They own 15 local titles.
Other notable teams – Once Caldas (Manizales), known for winning the 2004 Copa Libertadores against Boca Juniors (ARG); Deportivo Cali with two Libertadores finals and 10 local titles; and Independiente Santa Fe, Copa Sudamericana champions.
Football, Narcos, and Politics
As you might imagine, not everything in Colombian football is rosy. Like most major capital industries in the country, football became a hub for dark powers, especially in the 80s and 90s. During those decades, drug cartels made significant investments in nearly every team.
América de Cali became owned by Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela (Cali Cartel leader); Millonarios by Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha “El Mexicano” (a violent member of the Medellín Cartel); and both Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín had links to front men from the Medellín Cartel.
In 1982, then-Minister of Justice Rodrigo Lara Bonilla publicly exposed the ties between teams and the mafia. This enraged the cartels, and just six months later, he was assassinated by Pablo Escobar. That act marked the split between the Cali and Medellín cartels, with the former blaming Escobar for provoking an unnecessary war with the state.
Cartel rivalries spilled into and out of the football pitch. Each sought to see their team at the top, no matter the cost. The best players from Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, and beyond were signed en masse (América de Cali had over 150 professional players at one point — a figure no European club matches today).
Off the pitch, things were even worse. By the late 80s, referees became targets of threats, attacks, and even kidnappings by cartel affiliates. This culminated with the murder of referee Álvaro Ortega at the hands of Medellín Cartel hitmen after a match between América and DIM. The tournament was immediately canceled with no champion.
But the violence didn’t end there. After Colombia’s brilliant qualification for the 1994 World Cup in the USA (even defeating Argentina 5-0 in Buenos Aires), public expectations soared. Even Pelé predicted Colombia might win the tournament. Narcos placed massive bets in favor of the national team.
Colombia lost its opening match to Romania 2-1. Threats began arriving at the team’s coaching staff, and strange characters began appearing around the squad.
On June 22, 1994, Colombia faced host nation USA. Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga, known as “El Caballero del Fútbol,” scored an unfortunate own goal. The U.S. won 2-1, eliminating Colombia in the group stage. Not even Valderrama, Asprilla, or Rincón could turn it around.
Days later, still reeling from the elimination, the country faced perhaps the saddest moment in its football history: Andrés Escobar was shot and killed outside a nightclub in Medellín by the driver of Pedro David and Juan Santiago Gallón Henao, well-known cartel members.
Many versions exist, but the clearest account comes from John Jairo Galeano, a friend and teammate of Andrés. They were at a restaurant/nightclub called “El Indio” in Las Palmas, when the Gallón brothers showed up and began mocking Escobar, yelling “Own goal! Andrés, own goal!”
Fed up, they decided to leave. At the parking lot, some of the hecklers approached Escobar’s car, one saying, “You have no idea who you’re messing with, motherf***er,” before Humberto Muñoz (the Gallóns’ driver) walked up and shot Escobar six times in the face. Days before, Andrés had said in an interview, “Life doesn’t end here.”
Colombian Football Icons
Higuita – My first idol, the madman who invented a new position: the sweeper keeper. Fearless and carefree, he roamed the pitch playing with his feet. He was so influential that FIFA introduced the back-pass rule because of him. He’s best remembered for the greatest play in football history: the Scorpion Kick.
Valderrama – “El Pibe,” with his golden curls and precise, explosive play, wowed the football world across three World Cups. Without needing to run much, he commanded matches with a simple touch.
Faustino Asprilla – The first Colombian to succeed in Europe. He made history with Parma in the 90s, winning two UEFA Cups alongside Cannavaro, Crespo, Verón, and Zola. Still fondly remembered in Newcastle for his Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona.
Radamel Falcao – “El Tigre” is one of Colombia’s top goal scorers. He made his mark at Porto and Atlético Madrid, even competing for the Golden Boot with Messi and Cristiano.
James Rodríguez – The talented playmaker is the only Colombian to win the World Cup Golden Boot and the Puskás Award (for his goal in Brazil 2014 at just 23). He remains the national team captain.
Luis Díaz – The “Guajiro” was discovered by Valderrama while playing for Colombia’s Indigenous national team. A raw diamond now shining as one of Liverpool’s key players, Premier League champions in 2025.
Attend a Match:
If you want to experience Colombian football firsthand, we recommend joining a football tour where you’ll learn the chants, meet the fans, and enjoy the warm and festive atmosphere of Estadio Atanasio Girardot.
We also invite you to read our blog post with 5 tips to go to a football game in Medellin (Nacional or Medellín).
