History
Independiente was founded on January 1, 1905 in the Argentine city of Avellaneda. Since their founding, Independiente has been one of the finest teams in all of Argentine soccer. Independiente has played their entire 106-year history in Argentina’s first division, making them and Boca Juniors the only two teams to have never been relegated.
Independiente’s home field, the Estadio Libertadores de América was the first cement stadium ever constructed in South America in 1928 and recent renovations maintain it as one of Argentina’s finest soccer facilities.
Copa Libertadores
Independiente are the most successful team ever in South America’s most important club tournament. Independiente has won Copa Libertadores a total of seven times and is the only club to have won the tournament four years in a row. Independiente was also the first club from Argentina to win the tournament when they took home their first title in 1964.
International Competition
Including their success in Copa Libertadores Independiente has won 16 international championships. A.C. Milan and Boca Juniors are the only two teams in the world with more international club titles. Independiente’s 16 titles are one more than Real Madrid, four more than Barcelona, and whopping nine titles more than Manchester United. Independiente is also the current holder of Copa Sudamericana.
League Play
In league play Independiente has matched their success on the international stage by winning 14 Primera Division titles, River Plate and Boca Juniors are the only two Argentine clubs who have won more titles with 33 and 23 respectively.
Uniforms
Independiente originally dressed in an all blue and white, but in 1907 club president changed the club’s main color to red after watching Nottingham Forest play. Since then red has been Independiente’s main color, but the club still wears the original blue kit on the road with the club’s original crest.
Rivalry
Independiente’s fiercest rival is Racing, who play their home games just three blocks away. The rivalry known as the Avellaneda Derby has taken place 203 times and has been dominated by Independiente with 88 wins, 63 draw, and just 52 losses.
