On 25 March 1908, a group of students in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, founded a team that would become the "people's club" of Minas Gerais. Atlético Mineiro, the legendary "Galo", turns 119 on 25 March 2027. Let's see how its black-and-white shirt was born.

Twenty-two students and an idea

The club was set up by 22 young students from the city, led by Margival Mendes Leal and Mário Toledo. They called it Athletico Mineiro Foot Ball Club, and in 1913 it took its current form, Clube Atlético Mineiro. "Mineiro" means "from Minas", so from the very start the team declared that it belonged to the whole state.

The founders came from well-off families, but the club soon opened its doors to players of every class, nationality and background. That is how it earned its reputation as the city's people's team. In its first official match, on 21 March 1909, it beat Sport Club 3-0, the strongest side in Belo Horizonte at the time.

Black and white: the colours of unity

From day one, Atlético wore black and white. According to the Brazilian outlet Lance!, the first shirt was black with white details, worn with white shorts and socks. Exactly when the vertical stripes appeared is unclear, as sources disagree, but they already show up in photos from the 1910s.

No document explains why these colours were chosen. A popular interpretation holds that the contrast of black and white stands for the union of people from different classes and backgrounds. It is more identity than historical record, but it fits the club's character perfectly.

How the striped shirt evolved

In the 1940s the black stripes grew wider, and in the 1970s they became thinner again. The basic look, though, stayed the same: black-and-white striped shirt, black shorts and white socks. The second shirt is traditionally all white, and since 2000 there has also been an all-black third kit.

In 2008, for the centenary, the club released an anniversary shirt with black and gold stripes, which in 2009 was voted the most beautiful in the world in a Football Shirts poll. The first manufacturer to put its name on the shirt was Rainha in 1981. Since 2026 the kits have been made by Nike.

The rooster and the crest

The nickname "Galo" means rooster. Cartoonist Fernando Pierucetti, known as Mangabeira, chose the rooster as the mascot because the team played with passion and never gave up, like a gamecock in a fight. Today "Galo!" is the fans' cry at every match.

The first crest, in the 1910s, was the initials "CAM" inside a black oval. Since 1922 the club has used a shield with the letters above black-and-white stripes. The yellow star on top recalls the 1971 Brazilian championship.

Great moments and legends

The 1971 championship starred Dario, "Dadá Maravilha", the competition's top scorer. Soon after came Reinaldo, the club's all-time top scorer with 255 goals, alongside stars such as Toninho Cerezo and Éder.

In 2012 Ronaldinho joined the team, and in 2013 Atlético lifted its first Copa Libertadores, beating Olimpia on penalties in the final. In 2021, with Hulk scoring in the title-clinching match, it won both the Brazilian league and cup. Since 2023 it has played at its own new home, the Arena MRV.

Celebrate with us

On 25 March 2027 Atlético Mineiro blows out 119 candles, and its fans will shout "Galo!" once again. Its black-and-white shirt still carries the dream of those 22 students: a team for everyone.

Happy birthday, Galo! Keep writing history in Brazil and across the Americas.

See our collectible jerseys at sportarena.gr.

Photo: Arena MRV before an Atlético Mineiro match, 2024 – Felipebini, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.