The Best Colombian Soccer Teams

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Colombia and has been a national passion for decades. Since the founding of the Colombian Soccer League in 1948, the country has seen a number of teams that have left their mark on soccer history. We will focus on the best Colombian soccer teams.

It might interest you: History of Colombian soccer

Millionaires Football Club

Millonarios is one of the most successful teams in Colombian soccer and is considered by many to be the most popular. Founded in 1946 in Bogotá, the team has won 15 Colombian league titles and one Copa Libertadores title in 1987. Millonarios has also produced some of Colombia's greatest players, including Elkin Soto, Fredy Rincón and Adolfo Valencia.

National Athletic

Atlético Nacional is another of the most popular and successful teams in Colombian soccer. Founded in 1947 in Medellín , the team has won 16 Colombian league titles, two Copa Libertadores titles, and one Copa Interamericana title. Furthermore, the team was the first Colombian team to win the Copa Libertadores in 1989 and has been a constant participant in international tournaments. Atlético Nacional has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Faustino Asprilla, René Higuita and Juan Pablo Ángel.

Independent Medellin

Independiente Medellín, also known as DIM , is a historical Colombian football team that was founded in 1913 in Medellín . The team has won 8 Colombian league titles and has been runner-up 16 times. Independiente Medellín has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Giovanni Hernández, Víctor Hugo Aristizábal and Mauricio Molina.

Deportivo Cali

Deportivo Cali is one of the most successful teams in Colombian soccer and was founded in 1912 in Cali . The team has won 9 Colombian league titles and has been runner-up 11 times. In addition, Deportivo Cali has been a constant participant in international tournaments, reaching the Copa Libertadores finals in 1978 and 1999. Deportivo Cali has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Mario Alberto Yepes, Abel Aguilar and Faryd Mondragón.

cali america

América de Cali is one of the most popular Colombian soccer teams and was founded in 1927 in Cali. The team has won 13 Colombian league titles and has been runner-up 14 times. In addition, América de Cali has been a constant participant in international tournaments, reaching the finals of the Copa Libertadores in 1985 and 1986. América de Cali has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Willington Ortiz, Antony de Ávila and Jorge Bermudez.

Junior from Barranquilla

Junior de Barranquilla is one of the most popular teams in Colombian soccer and was founded in 1924 in Barranquilla. The team has won 9 Colombian league titles and has been runner-up 8 times. Junior de Barranquilla has been a constant participant in international tournaments, reaching the finals of the Copa Libertadores in 1994 and the Copa Sudamericana in 2018. The team has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Teófilo Gutiérrez, Giovanni Hernández and Carlos Bacca.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is one of the oldest teams in Colombian football, having been founded in 1941 in Bogotá . The team has won 10 Colombian league titles and has been runner-up 11 times. Santa Fe has been a constant participant in international tournaments, reaching the finals of the Copa Sudamericana in 2015 and the Copa Libertadores in 1961 and 2013. The team has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Leonel Álvarez, Carlos Valderrama and Sergio Galvan Rey.

Once Caldas

Once Caldas is one of the most successful teams in Colombian football and was founded in 1961 in Manizales . The team has won 4 Colombian league titles and has been runner-up 6 times. In addition, Once Caldas has been a constant participant in international tournaments, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2004 and reaching the final of the Copa Sudamericana in 2011. The team has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Johan Arango, Dayro Moreno and Jhon Viafara.

Sports Tolima

Deportes Tolima is one of the most important teams in Colombian soccer and was founded in 1954 in Ibagué . The team has won 2 Colombian league titles and has been runner-up on 2 occasions. In addition, Deportes Tolima has been a constant participant in international tournaments, reaching the final of the Copa Sudamericana in 2010. The team has produced some of Colombia's most outstanding players, such as Fredy Guarín, Dayro Moreno and Andrés Andrade.

Atletico Bucaramanga

Atlético Bucaramanga is one of the oldest teams in Colombian football and was founded in 1949 in Bucaramanga . The team has won 2 Colombian second division titles and has been runner-up in the Colombian league on 2 occasions. Atlético Bucaramanga has been a constant participant in national tournaments and has produced some of the most outstanding players in Colombia, such as Iván René Valenciano, Efraín Viáfara and Mayer Candelo.

On the other hand, these teams participate in different tournaments where they demonstrate their skills and raise the name of their team, some of these tournaments are:

Colombian League

The Colombian League is the most important tournament in Colombian soccer and is considered one of the most competitive tournaments in Latin America. The league is organized by the Major Division of Colombian Soccer (DIMAYOR) and is played between 20 teams from all over the country. The tournament is divided into two seasons: the Opening Tournament, which is played in the first semester of the year, and the Finalization Tournament, which is played in the second semester. Each season has a regular phase, followed by a playoff phase to determine the champion. The Colombian League is a very exciting tournament and is often characterized by its unpredictability. Bigger teams like Millonarios, Atlético Nacional, América de Cali and Deportivo Cali are always favorites to win the tournament, but smaller teams like Deportes Tolima, Junior de Barranquilla, Santa Fe and Once Caldas have also had success in the past. .

Colombian Cup

The Colombia Cup is another important Colombian soccer tournament and is also organized by DIMAYOR . The tournament is played between teams of all categories, including teams from the Colombian League, Primera B and amateur teams. This is a single elimination tournament and is played throughout the year. Teams compete in home and away matches until a winner is determined. The Copa Colombia is an opportunity for the smaller teams to compete against the bigger teams and prove their worth. It is also an opportunity for Colombian League teams to try new strategies and give young players playing time.

South American Cup

The Copa Sudamericana is a club competition organized by the South American Football Confederation ( CONMEBOL ). The tournament is played between teams from all over South America, including teams from the Colombian League. Colombian League teams wishing to participate in the Copa Sudamericana must qualify for the tournament through their performances in the Colombian League and in the Copa Colombia. The tournament is played throughout the year and is competed in home and away matches. Winning the competition can be a huge boost for any team, and Colombian teams, such as Santa Fe, Junior de Barranquilla, and Once Caldas, have had success in the competition in the past.