Club Atlético Madrid is 110 years old. A century and a decade after a group of Basque students, decided to build a dream that today is a reality. A club, a shield and a brand emerged. For many a huge team, for many others a feeling of belonging to a group with a beautiful background.

A glorious history that the club has celebrated with an institutional dinner attended by over 250 guests including Atletico full boardof directors, led by Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Angel Gil, along with ambassadors from countries like Belgium, Colombia, Georgia, Israel, Kuwait, Romania and Turkey, members of the Community of Madrid and President of CAM, Ignacio Gonzalez, or General Secretary of State for Sport, Miguel Cardinal; LFP president Jose Luis Astiazarán, Secretary General of the RFEF, Jorge Perez Arias, delegates from first division teams like Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Levante; sponsors like Castellana Wagen, Fuentecapala or La Caixa, representatives of major media from around the country, personalities from the world of society, culture and sport, and from the handball team, represented by its president Domingo Diaz de Mera, and Atletico Féminas with Lola Romero at the helm.

Fans were also invited to the unforgettable evening, the very people who give the atmosphere to the Calderon every time the player grace the pitch. Those who best know how to explain what it means to wear the shirt of Atletico and can define exactly what makes this team great were also present, Adelardo, Capón, Roberto Solozábal, Sabas, Pedraza, Quique Ramos, Santi Denia. Pereira, Calleja, Santos Ovejero, Peiró, San Román o Martínez Jayo. As well as those who still share their life with the red and whites like Jose Luis Perez Caminero, Carlos Aguilera, Manuel Sánchez Delgado, Alfredo Santaelena, Diego Pablo Simeone, or the captain of the first team and on behalf of those who still make us dream, Gabi. An excellent representation of each of the generations of players who have gone through the Calderon.

The social mass of Atletico Madrid is the essence and what gives meaning to our work

 

The evening, presented and directed by journalist Marco Rocha, began with a video in which other institutions who have celebrated their 110th Anniversary, Club Atlético Newell´s Old Boys, Harley Davidson, Diario ABC, Racing de Avellaneda, Banco Sabadell o La Verdad, congratulated the Club on the occasion of its anniversary. A reproduction followed welcoming the guest with word from the CEO of Club Atlético de Madrid, Miguel Angel Gil, with a grateful heart for "the presence of all of you on our anniversary. I welcome you to the Vicente Calderon, the home Atletico. A football club over a company, a social club. The social mass of Atletico Madrid is the essence and what gives meaning and direction to our work every day, to every project that we embark on. The fans are the reason for this Club. We have surpassed 61,500 members, 45,000 season ticket holders, over 715 supporters groups spread throughout our country and 34 more overseas. In short, a club constantly growing. An exponential increase in all that is related to the club, due to the stability of the organization, the team's performance and how is it to be Atletico."

"Today we are honoured to have a large number of former players who are living history of Atletico Madrid. Also thank those who today continue to perform and satisfy the fans. In our coach and our captain, thank you for everything you are doing," he acknowledged.

After the commemorative dinner came possibly one of the most emotional moments of the night with the presentation of the Gold and Diamond Club insignias, which the president presented to Luis Aragones and José Armando Ufarte for the Atletico spirit shown by the pair during Euro 2008 when leading the Spanish football team as first and second coach.

Luis Aragonés, after receiving the highest distinction of the Club, claimed to be "fundamentally Atletico Madrid. I am honoured and I have tremendous pride to be so. I'm more Atletico than of the national side, but the two things are in my heart."

Armando Ufarte was extremely excited to receive the emblem and toasted to the future of Atletico "to returns to be champions of the league, that's when all the fans are happy. Hopefully soon, with Simeone and with that great squad we have, they will achieve it for all of us."

Enrique Cerezo put an end to the ceremony, explaining that "what is now Atletico Madrid has been shaped by the titles, challenges and experiences lived every day in these past 110 years, by the great figures who have worn this shirt, but also for each and every one of the people, known or unknown, who have felt this as their own, as an important and even essential part of their lives. These experiences, anecdotes and feelings have allowed us to build the wonderful story of Atletico and have made this club unlike any other."

"But above men and names, what is remembered is the spirit of all of them, each in a different era, has been transmitted to the present and we have all gained, assuming the commitment and responsibility to keep it alive," he said.

The Atletico president recalled that "in ten years we have grown in all areas, social, economic, commercial and institutional marketing. As a brand we have undertaken a project to expand internationally, to consolidate our position in the markets of greatest interest to the club."

"Nationally, we have laid the foundations of the two most important heritage projects of the club: the New Stadium and the New Sports City, the two essential pillars on which we want to build a solid and promising future, which will match our history, our reputation and the needs of our fans. In this context of overall development, our sporting project has consolidated to lead us to 4 European titles and reaching 6 finals, nationally and internationally in just three years, something unforgettable for everyone at Atletico," he said.

The blowing out of the candles on the stroke of 00:00 on April 26, 1903 was done by Rodrigo Arocena, member No. 60,000, who acted as an emblem of the best fans in the world, ours.

Atletico Madrid turns 110 placed where it deserves to be, among the best. A special team that goes deep, wrought with something attractive, a personality that makes it unique. Their ability to cope with the toughest situations, accompanied by a holy love that is always present, makes reaching the 110-year anniversary the start of a feeling that will never end.