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Club Nacional de Football
Uruguayan association football club From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Club Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports institution, founded on May 14, 1899, in Montevideo by a group of young students with the aim of creating a football club for local Uruguayan players in response to the dominance of foreign European clubs and athletes, particularly English and German. For this reason, it is regarded as the “first local team” in the country and one of the first clubs in the Americas founded by nationals.
Although Nacional later grew into a multi-sport institution, football has always been its greatest source of success, making it one of the most decorated and recognized clubs in the world at both national and international levels. Known as the “Dean” of Uruguayan football, Nacional has competed in the country’s top division continuously since its debut in 1901 and has won 49 Uruguayan Championship titles, in addition to finishing first in the incomplete 1925 and 1948 tournaments. In total, the club holds 163 official titles — 144 domestic and 19 international — making it the most decorated club in Uruguay and one of the most successful worldwide.
At the international level, Nacional has won the Copa Libertadores three times (1971, 1980, and 1988), defeating Estudiantes de La Plata, Internacional, and Newell’s Old Boys in those respective finals. Each of these victories qualified Nacional for the Intercontinental Cup, where Nacional also became a rare three-time world champion, winning in 1971, 1980, and 1988 against Panathinaikos, Nottingham Forest, and PSV Eindhoven. The club also holds a Recopa Sudamericana title (1989) and is the only Uruguayan team to have won the Copa Interamericana, in 1971 and 1988. For much of the 20th century, Nacional was the club with the most international titles in the world until it was surpassed in the early 21st century by Real Madrid and Al-Ahly.
Identified with the colors white, blue, and red — drawn from the Artigas Flag — Nacional plays its home matches at the Estadio Gran Parque Central, located in the La Blanqueada neighborhood of Montevideo. The stadium is historically significant, as it hosted one of the opening matches of the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, featuring Belgium and the United States, and saw the World Cup debuts of Argentina and Brazil. It also served as the sole venue for the 1923 and 1924 editions of the Copa América.
Nacional’s greatest rival is Peñarol, in what is considered the oldest football rivalry outside the British Isles and one of the most important derbies in the world. Matches between Nacional and Peñarol have been ranked among the three most exciting football derbies globally by the British magazine FourFourTwo..
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History
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1899-1920s: Foundation and First Years
Nacional is a result of the fusion between Montevideo Football Club and Uruguay Athletic Club, which was done on May 14, 1899. It was decided there that the club's flag should include the three colours (red, white and blue), historically connected to José Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay's national hero. In 1900, Nacional started playing at the Estadio Gran Parque Central. That same year, four clubs governed by foreigners (Albion F.C., CURCC, Uruguay Athletic Club and Deutscher F.K.) founded the Uruguayan Primera Division. Nacional's petition to be included was dismissed on the thought that criollo clubs and their players lacked category. However, the League's clubs had to admit Nacional in 1901, after the club was invited to join the Argentinean League, due to their impressive performances in a number of friendly matches. In 1902, Nacional won their first Uruguayan league title.
In September of 1903, Nacional fully represented the Uruguay national football team and beat Argentina 3-2, winning the first international match ever. In 1905, Nacional won its first official international title, the Copa de Honor Rioplatense, organized by the AFA and AUF, by defeating the Argentine club Alumni Athletic Club 3–2 in Montevideo.
After winning the 1912 championship, they won the 1915 Triple Crown, which included the three major domestic and international tournaments of that time: Primera División, Tie Cup, and Copa de Honor Cousenier. Nacional would go on to win the first Copa Uruguaya en propiedad (the first club to win three league championships in a row), by winning the 1915, 1916 and 1917 championships. They also found success in the next two decades by also winning the 1919, 1920, 1922, 1923 and 1924 league titles.
At international level, Nacional won the Copa Aldao three times (1916, 1919, 1920), three consecutive Copa de Honor Cousenier (1915, 1916, 1917), and two Tie Cup (1913, 1915). In these tournaments, Nacional defeated Argentine clubs such as Racing Club, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Independiente, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Rosario Central, and Newell's Old Boys, among others.
1920s: International Tours and Success with the National Team
After two very successful initial decades in the domestic league of Uruguay and internationally against Argentinian clubs, Nacional became the foundation of Uruguay's first international success at the world level. In 1924, Nacional contributed players (Mazzali, Urdinarán, Scarone, Romano, Zibechi and Pascual Somma) for Uruguayan national team that won the first FIFA world championship at the Summer Olympics in Paris. Nacional also made also a substantial contribution to the Uruguayan teams at the 1928 Summer Olympics and the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930. Moreover, Nacional is the only Uruguayan club that contributed players to every Uruguay national team that has won an international tournament.
Then, in 1925, motivated by the excellent performance of the Uruguay national team at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, where the core of the squad was made up of Nacional players, the club traveled to Europe to begin the famous 1925 tour. This lasted 190 days, from February to August 1925, and is considered the longest in the history of world football.
It comprised nine countries — France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and Portugal — and twenty-three cities. The tour included among its most notable results a 3–0 victory over Genoa C.F.C., then champions of Italy, and wins over the national teams of Netherlands (7–0), France (6–0), Belgium (5–1), and Switzerland (5–1). In total, Nacional played thirty-eight matches, of which it won twenty-six, drew seven, and lost five, scoring 130 goals and conceding 30. Participating in the tour were Héctor Scarone, Héctor Castro, Pedro Petrone, and José Nasazzi, who joined as a guest.
1930s-1940s: the arrival of Atilio Garcia and the 'Quinquenio de Oro'
In 1932, Uruguayan football became professional, and by 1933 Nacional had formed a great team that became known as “La Máquina Blanca” (“The White Machine”). They began the season with emphatic results, scoring twenty-eight goals in just four matches: four against Newell's Old Boys, seven against Flamengo, eight against Rampla Juniors, and nine against Central Español. The 1933 Uruguayan Primera División was the longest championship in the world, as Nacional were crowned champions on 18 November 1934 after several finals against Peñarol that year: the first in April was suspended — remembered as the “Clásico del gol de la valija” after a goal was scored when a briefcase kept the ball in play— and resumed in August, and finally finished in November, where Nacional won 3–2 with three goals by 1930 World Cup hero Héctor Castro, after Peñarol had been leading 1–0 at halftime.
In 1938, the Argentine Atilio García joined the club, who would go on to become the institution’s all-time top scorer. That year Nacional won the Nocturno Rioplatense title, defeating major clubs from the Río de la Plata region. Between 1939 and 1943, with former player Héctor Castro as coach, Nacional achieved the first Quinquenio de Oro (five consecutive championships) in the history of Uruguayan football.
In 1940, Atilio García scored four goals against Peñarol, all of them headers, in a 5-1 victory. That year Nacional finished thirteen points ahead of their traditional rival. To win the 1941 Uruguayan Primera División, the club won every match, including a 6–0 victory over Peñarol. Between 1938 and 1943, twenty-three clásicos were played, with eighteen victories for Nacional and only four defeats. In addition, on 21 November 1943, Nacional secured their tenth consecutive victory over Peñarol in the Uruguayan Primera División. Furthermore, between 1938 and 1943, Nacional won the Torneo de Honor, a domestic cup, a record six times in a row.
1950s-1970: The Search for International Glory
At the domestic level, the club won the Uruguayan Primera División championships of 1946, 1947, 1950, and 1952. The title achieved in 1950 was special, because Nacional were crowned champions in the same year that Uruguay became world champions. Between 1955 and 1957, under the management of Ondino Viera, Nacional secured another three consecutive league titles.
Nacional took part for the first time in the Copa Libertadores in the 1962 edition, in which they were eliminated in the semifinals by Peñarol. The following year, Zezé Moreira replaced Hugo Bagnulo as coach, implemented the Brazilian 4–2–4 system, and won the 1963 Uruguayan Primera División. Nacional later reached the continental final in 1964, but were defeated by Independiente of Avellaneda. In 1966, they once again claimed the Uruguayan championship, and the following year they again reached the Copa Libertadores final, after defeating Cruzeiro and Peñarol in the semifinals. The final, against Racing Club, was decided in a third match played in Lima, where the Argentines won 2-1.
With Miguel Restuccia as president, Nacional began building a team that would eventually bear fruit: it included Luis Ubiña, Juan Martín Mugica, Julio Montero Castillo, Víctor Espárrago, and Julio César Morales, joined by the Brazilian goalkeeper Manga and the young Atilio Ancheta. Later came Ángel Brunell, Francisco Majewski, Alberto Ferrero Silveira, and Luis Cubilla, along with the great Argentine striker Luis Artime. In the 1969 Copa Libertadores, after eliminating Peñarol in the semifinals, Nacional lost the final for the third time, this time to Estudiantes de La Plata, who won their second consecutive title.
1971-1988: Three-time Club World Champions
1971: First Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup
In 1971, the notable tenure of Zezé Moreira at the club came to an end, and Washington Etchamendi arrived, beginning his glorious cycle as head coach. Nacional began its great campaign in the 1971 Copa Libertadores in a group alongside Peñarol and the Bolivian clubs Chaco Petrolero and The Strongest. They advanced by winning both clásicos. In the semifinals, they faced Universitario of Peru and Palmeiras of Brazil, highlighted by a 3-0 victory over Palmeiras at the Estádio do Pacaembu in São Paulo. In the finals, they had to face the then three-time champions Estudiantes de La Plata, as in the 1969 final. Both matches ended 1-0 for the home side. The third and decisive match was played on 9 June in Lima, where Nacional won 2-0 with goals from Víctor Espárrago and Luis Artime, securing their first Copa Libertadores.
That victory allowed the club to contest two more international trophies: the 1971 Intercontinental Cup and the 1971 Interamerican Cup. To win the Intercontinental, Nacional faced Panathinaikos, the European runners-up. The first leg was played on 15 December, finishing 1–1 at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, with a goal by Luis Artime. The return leg was a 2-1 victory for Nacional, with both goals scored by Artime. On 28 December 1971, Nacional won the Intercontinental Cup for the first time, becoming club world champions. The following year, they won their first Interamerican Cup, defeating Cruz Azul of Mexico, being the only Uruguayan club to hold this trophy.
At the same time, they achieved four consecutive domestic titles — 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 — maintaining an unbeaten record against their clásico rival: from 2 March 1971 to 31 January 1974, 16 clásicos were played, of which Nacional did not lose a single one.
1980: The Return of a Trio of Legends and a Second Club World Title
On 26 January 1980, a new era began with the election of Dante Iocco as president. The club was going through a poor sporting period, and the new board urgently appointed Juan Martín Mugica, champion of 1971, as coach and Esteban Gesto as fitness trainer to finish the 1979 Liguilla Pre-Libertadores qualifiers. Mugica made some changes to the team and its tactics, introducing man-to-man marking across the pitch.
With the new coaching staff, Nacional eliminated Peñarol 2–0 and qualified for the 1980 Copa Libertadores. In the group stage, they advanced over Defensor Sporting and the Bolivian clubs The Strongest and Oriente Petrolero; in the semifinals, they overcame O'Higgins of Chile and reigning champions Olimpia of Paraguay, earning a place in the final against Internacional of Porto Alegre. On 30 July, in Porto Alegre, the first leg was played, and more than 22,000 Uruguayans traveled the thousand kilometers in what Nacional fans called the “second exodus of the Oriental people.” The first leg finished 0-0, and the return match, on 6 August at the Estadio Centenario, was a 1–0 victory with a header goal by Waldemar Victorino.
That same year, the Intercontinental Cup was played for the first time as a single match in Japan, thanks to the efforts of Nacional’s directors, who managed to convince the European clubs that had been reluctant to participate. In February 1981, Nacional won their second club world title, defeating Nottingham Forest of England 1-0 with a goal by Waldemar Victorino.
1988: A Classic Club World Final
At the end of the 1980s, the club, like all of Uruguayan football, was mired in serious financial problems. Nevertheless, Nacional assembled a squad which, despite its modesty, would bring great satisfaction. The coach was Roberto Fleitas, fresh off winning the 1987 Copa América with the Uruguay national team. During the 1988 Copa Libertadores, the club advanced past Montevideo Wanderers, América de Cali, and Millonarios of Bogotá in the group stage. They then defeated Universidad Católica and Newell's Old Boys. As they approached the decisive stages, the club brought back Hugo de León, who became the inspirational leader the team needed. Nacional once again overcame América de Cali in the semifinals, and in the final faced Newell’s, who had won the first leg 1-0. The return match at the Estadio Centenario, before 75,000 fans, was won by Nacional 3-0, with goals from Ernesto Vargas, Santiago Ostolaza, and Hugo de León.
Later, Nacional won their third world title by defeating PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands. In what was considered one of the most thrilling finals in the history of the Intercontinental Cup, Nacional defeated the Dutch team on penalties. The match had ended 1-1 in regular time and 2=2 after extra time, with both goals scored by Ostolaza. In the penalty shootout, Jorge Seré saved four shots, and Tony Gómez converted the final, the twentieth of the series. With this victory, Nacional were crowned the first undefeated three-time world champions, a feat later matched by São Paulo FC of Brazil.
To contest the continental trophies granted by their Libertadores win, Nacional kept much of the squad in 1989, though with a change in coaching staff, former club player Héctor Núñez took charge. That year, Nacional won their second Interamerican Cup, defeating Olimpia of Honduras, and the Recopa Sudamericana, defeating Racing Club of Avellaneda. With these new successes, Nacional equaled Peñarol as one of the two Uruguayan clubs with the most official international titles organized by CONMEBOL–FIFA, with a total of nine. Adding the thirteen won in Río de la Plata competitions, the club reached a total of twenty-two international titles.
1990s and Recent History
1990s
During most of the 1990s, the club had irregular campaigns. It won the Uruguayan Championship in 1992, with outstanding performances from Panamanian striker Julio Dely Valdés and Argentine Antonio Vidal González. Six years later, with the debut of Hugo De León as head coach and Rubén Sosa leading on the field, Nacional captured the 1998 Uruguayan Championship, becoming the first team to win both the Torneo Apertura and the Torneo Clausura in the same season, since the format was introduced in 1994. Since then, only Danubio F.C. has achieved the title in the same manner, during the 2006–07 season.
On May 14, 1999, Nacional celebrated its centenary under the motto “100 Años de Verdad” (“100 Years of Truth”), a reference to the controversy surrounding the foundation date of Club Atlético Peñarol. The celebration included a match against their opponent from the final of the 1988 Intercontinental Cup, PSV Eindhoven, at the Estadio Centenario. That same year, Nacional’s fans unveiled what they called “the largest flag in the world.”
2000s: Domestic Dominance and a Return to the Copa Libertadores Elite
With the same squad as a base, Nacional dominated the domestic scene for three consecutive years — 2000, 2001, and 2002. In 2002, under the management of Daniel Carreño, hopes for international success returned: the club reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 Copa Libertadores, being eliminated by Grêmio, and nearly advanced to the final of the inaugural Copa Sudamericana, falling in the semifinals on penalties against Atlético Nacional of Colombia. In the 2003 Copa Libertadores, the team was even stronger, and played memorable clashes against Santos FC, ending 4–4 in Montevideo and 2–2 at the Vila Belmiro.
2004 is remembered for the derby comebacks vs. Peñarol: in the Apertura they won 2-1, and in the Clausura they prevailed 3-2 after trailing 0-2. By 2005, in addition to the arrival of Martín Lasarte, the club decided to renovate the Gran Parque Central and return to its historic stadium, after 75 years of hosting home games at the Estadio Centenario. Shortly after being re-inaugurated, the Parque hosted two consecutive championship celebrations: Nacional won the 2005 Uruguayan Championship unbeaten, and in the 2005–06 season secured the bicampeonato. This last championship is remembered because Nacional finished as champion while Peñarol ended in last place — notably, the AUF had deducted 12 points from Peñarol — and a plaque at Nacional’s headquarters commemorates the event.
On April 19, 2008, during that year’s Clausura championship, fans remember the comeback against River Plate Montevideo at the Centenario: after being down 0-3, Nacional claimed a historic 6-3 victory against the side that was competing with them for the title. After three years, Nacional regained the Uruguayan Championship in the 2008–09 season, managed by Gerardo Pelusso. As a highlight, the team won all three clásicos that season: 1-0 in the Apertura, 2-1 in the summer friendly tournament, and 3-2 in the Clausura with three goals from Gustavo Biscayzacú.
In 2009, Nacional achieved its best Copa Libertadores performance in 21 years. Managed by Gerardo Pelusso, the club reached the semifinals after surpassing River Plate (Argentina), Club Nacional (Paraguay), and San Martín (Peru) in the group stage, and then eliminating Palmeiras. In that round, they faced Estudiantes de La Plata, the club that would go on to win the title.
2010s: Domestic Triumphs and Transitions
In 2010, club president Ricardo Alarcón decided to appoint Juan Ramón Carrasco as the new head coach, following the short spell of Luis González. The change paid off, as the team quickly improved and results followed: Nacional finished second in that Apertura and went on to win the Torneo Clausura, also securing first place in the Annual Table. This gave Carrasco’s team the right to play for the Uruguayan Championship against Defensor Sporting, winner of the Apertura. Only one match was needed, as Nacional defeated Defensor and was crowned champion. Just a few days later, Carrasco resigned from his position.
For the 2011–12 Uruguayan Primera División, former Argentinian player Marcelo Gallardo, who had retired the previous season, took over as manager. In his first semester he won the Apertura, with Alvaro Recoba as the main star of the squad. In the Clausura they finished second behind Defensor Sporting but once again secured the Annual Table, five points clear of their closest rivals. On June 16, 2012, Nacional faced Defensor Sporting in the semifinal of the 2011–12 season, becoming bicampeón of Uruguayan football after a 1-0 win. It was their 44th national championship, highlighted by winning both clásicos that season thanks to decisive goals from Recoba himself: a last-minute penalty for a 2-1 Apertura win, and a free kick for a 3-2 Clausura victory.
After the championship, Gallardo decided not to renew his contract, and the board appointed Gustavo Díaz, former Defensor Sporting coach, for the following season. Due to irregular results, in March 2013 he was replaced by interim coaches Juan Carlos Blanco, a former Nacional player. By the end of that month, it was announced that Argentine Rodolfo Arruabarrena would take charge. Under his leadership, Nacional finished third in the 2012–13 Annual Table and qualified for the 2014 Copa Libertadores first stage, their 41st appearance and 18th consecutive, a tournament record. After finishing third in the Apertura 2013, Arruabarrena resigned, being replaced by Gerardo Pelusso.
By failing to win any title in 2013, Nacional ended a remarkable cycle of success: between 1995 and 2012 they had won at least one official tournament every year. Still, the club added 15,080 new members, reaching 65,738 by December 2013. Under Pelusso, Nacional endured their worst-ever Copa Libertadores campaign in 2014, taking just one point in the group stage. His successor, Álvaro Gutiérrez, won the Apertura 2014 almost perfectly (42 points out of 45), including a last-minute 2-1 clásico win, and after topping the Annual Table, Nacional were crowned champions by beating Peñarol, Clausura winners, 3-2 in the final.
After Gutiérrez left for Al-Shabab FC, Nacional appointed former goalkeeper and captain Gustavo Munúa. His team performed well in the 2016 Copa Libertadores, losing only on penalties to Boca Juniors, but won no domestic title. He left, but Nacional still qualified for the 2017 Libertadores after finishing second in the Annual Table. In the second half of the year, the 2016 Campeonato Uruguayo Especial was played to restore the calendar-year format. Nacional, led by Martín Lasarte, won their 46th Uruguayan Championship, taking all home matches at the Gran Parque Central and finishing five points ahead.
In 2017, Nacional won the first Torneo Intermedio, but, having missed out on both the Apertura and Clausura, they were left out of the championship final. Lasarte departed and was replaced by Alexander Medina, then coach of the third team. Despite a difficult start in 2018, including two clásico defeats, Medina’s side bounced back, winning the Apertura and again the Intermedio, though they were eliminated in the 2018 Copa Libertadores group stage. They dropped to the 2018 Copa Sudamericana, eliminating Sol de América and San Lorenzo, before falling in the quarterfinals to Fluminense.
For the 2019 season, José Decurnex became club president. One of his first decisions was not to renew 14 contracts expiring December 31, except for striker Bergessio, top scorer the previous year. In January, Argentine Eduardo Domínguez was appointed manager. His spell was short: despite winning the 2019 Supercopa Uruguaya against Peñarol and two 2019 Copa Libertadores victories, Nacional quickly fell behind in the Apertura. After five games and only three points, Domínguez was dismissed and replaced by a returning Alvaro Gutiérrez.
Under Gutiérrez, results improved: Nacional finished third in the Apertura, then in the Intermedio Cup of 2019 earned 14 of 21 points and won the clásico 3-0. Though they missed that final (won by Liverpool Montevideo), Nacional then tied Peñarol on points in the Clausura, forcing a playoff final which Nacional won 2-0. Having also topped the Annual Table, they gained the advantage in the Championship final, where they again faced Peñarol, Apertura winners. With a goal from Matías Zunino, Nacional won 1–0 and secured their 47th Uruguayan Championship. This title is especially remembered by fans, as Nacional won three clásico finals in the same year, including two in four days.
2020s: Luis Suarez's Return
In 2020, Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly a long suspension between March and August, Nacional successfully defended their Uruguayan championship, defeating Rentistas in the final and securing their 48th Primera División title . They also captured the 2020 Torneo Intermedio, adding another trophy to their season. In 2021, A quieter domestic campaign, as Nacional were dethroned by Peñarol, who claimed the 2021 league championship. No major titles were won this year, and Nacional were also eliminated by their rivals in the Round of 16 of the 2021 Copa Sudamericana.
2022 saw a landmark return to glory, and to the club, for Luis Suárez, who returned to his boyhood club in July and made an immediate impact. El Pistolero scored twice in the final against Liverpool Montevideo, helping Nacional lift the 2022 Uruguayan championship. His presence and performance became a defining highlight of the season; as one former teammate recalled, “He… told us that this was the most important title of his career… after that talk… I knew that it was impossible to lose that final.” In 2023, Nacional fell short domestically, losing the league title to Liverpool Montevideo. In 2024,Nacional won the 2024 Torneo Intermedio, defeating Peñarol in a dramatic final that ended in a penalty shootout. The season ultimately ended in disappointment, as Peñarol won both the Apetura and the Clausura to claim the 2024 Uruguayan league title.
2025: Remodelling of the Gran Parque Central Stadium
In August of 2025, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the preliminary Master Plan for the remodelling of the Gran Parque Central, with a comprehensive vision to transform the historic stadium into a renewed heart of both the club and the community. The plan envisions expanding the current capacity of approximately 34,000 spectators to 44,000, building new corner stands to connect all four tribunes, and partially covering them with a semi-roof, along with significant upgrades to the overall fan experience.
The project also includes flexible multi-use spaces, a supporters’ plaza, a multipurpose indoor arena, an underground parking facility for around 1,000 vehicles, and even a dedicated World Cup museum. Covering the full five hectares of the site, the initiative represents an ambitious effort to unite architectural innovation, historic identity, and community engagement.
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Club Symbols
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Crest and Flag
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nacional Kits and Crests.
Nacional’s statute establishes that the colors representing the club are blue, white, and red, as a reflection of Uruguay’s national symbols and taken from the flag of the country’s greatest independence hero, José Gervasio Artigas. The club’s flag was created on May 23, 1902, at the initiative of Domingo Prat. The person in charge of designing it was Ernesto Caprario, co-founder of the club, who proposed completing the sports uniform with a small flag placed on the left side of the jersey, over the heart, thus forming the shield.
The flag is made up as follows: on a blue background, a white diagonal stripe, drawn from left to right and from bottom to top, bearing in red the initials C. N. de F. In turn, the club’s shield is formed with exactly the same arrangement of colors and initials.
Home Kit
The statute of Nacional establishes that the sports uniforms of all the club’s teams must be composed, like the flag of José Gervasio Artigas, of the colors blue, white, and red.
The first jersey, used from the club’s founding in 1899 until 1902, was red, with a blue collar and sleeves. The players also wore a red cap with a blue tassel.
In March 1902, the team changed its shirt at the request of the AUF, to avoid the similarity of colors with Albion, and also because the red shirt faded and no better-quality replacement could be obtained.
The new uniform was a white shirt with a pocket, which gave rise to the nicknames bolsilludos and bolsos, blue shorts, and a red sash. In addition, the crest with the initials C. N. de F. was added over the shirt pocket.
Later, in 1909, a red belt began to be used, but this was discontinued at the end of the 1920s. By the late 1950s, both the red sash and the pocket were abandoned, giving way to the current uniform: a white jersey with blue and red details, blue shorts and socks with white and red trim, although white shorts and socks can also be used.
Apart from these changes, Nacional’s primary uniform has practically not varied throughout history.
In the modern era of international competition, beginning in the 1960s, the uniform with white shorts and socks became predominant, complemented by red and blue, representing the three colors, a tradition that lasted several decades, especially for night matches.
In May 2018, Nacional made the news when a jersey from 1904 was found, the oldest unrestored football shirt in the world. It was valued at fifteen thousand dollars and was set to be auctioned, but a Uruguayan businessman paid the amount so that the auction would not take place, allowing the world’s oldest shirt to remain in the club’s possession.
Symbols
For several years, Nacional has used the inscription “Decano” on its official uniforms. In recent seasons, it also added the three Intercontinental Cups above the crest, except during the 2014-15 season, when the traditional crest was replaced by the mythical “bolsillo.” For the 2013–14 season, the back of the jersey featured the logo “Rey de copas,” ("King of Cups") alluding to its 21 international titles.
On the 2010-11 uniforms, there was a logo with a sun and the number 21, in honor of Diego “Oreja” Rodríguez, a club player who died in a car accident. For the 2011–12 season, the club’s uniforms carried the logo of the Bicentennial of the Instrucciones del Año XIII.
As for the sky-blue jersey, which Nacional has worn since 2011 during the month of September, most editions usually feature some commemorative inscription or institutional logo that varies each year. The 2013 jersey carried the motto “Somos Uruguay,” while the 2014 edition displayed a logo with the phrase “Primer club criollo de América,” recalling that Nacional is the first Latin American club founded by natives of the same country as the club itself.
Stadium
Located in the Montevideo neighborhood of La Blanqueada, the Estadio Gran Parque Central, renovated in early 2005, is the home ground of Club Nacional de Football. The Gran Parque Central is considered a historic venue. Built in 1900, it is the oldest stadium in the Americas and the fifteenth oldest in the world. The Parque also hosted the Uruguay national team, both in football and other sports. From its creation until 1930, it was Uruguay’s main sporting venue, so until the inauguration of the Estadio Centenario, the national football team played its home matches at the Gran Parque Central.
The complex covers a total of 43,324 square meters. It includes the stadium itself, with a total capacity of 38,000 spectators, and complete facilities for two training camps, two gyms, two paddle courts, two basketball courts, a weight room, medical services, laundry, meeting rooms, dormitories, bathrooms, dining hall, kitchen, storage areas, and more.
Among Nacional supporters, the Gran Parque Central is commonly referred to as the first World Cup stadium. In this regard, the Templo Tricolor has received several recognitions, most notably a plaque placed by FIFA in 2005 commemorating the first match in World Cup history, played in this stadium. On that occasion, a FIFA delegation visited the works, headed by its president Joseph Blatter and accompanied by Eugenio Figueredo, Nicolás Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira, and Julio Grondona.
That monument was placed at the tunnel exit connecting the locker rooms to the pitch, and in 2011 it was relocated, along with other tributes, to the new sector known as Quinta de la Paraguaya, located at the entrances to the main stand. This square was inaugurated to commemorate two hundred years since José Artigas was named Chief of the Orientals, on the land where the Parque Central now stands.
It has also received recognition from specialized outlets. In 2014, the site Impedimento.org created a list of 33 unmissable stadiums in South America and ranked the Gran Parque Central in first place, stating that “there are few stadiums as heavy in terms of history,” as the tricolor venue.
In 2013, expansion works were completed on the Héctor Scarone stand (second tier) and the “corner” linking the Abdón Porte and Atilio García stands, significantly increasing the Parque’s capacity. Since late 2012, Nacional has been promoting the inclusion of the Gran Parque Central as the second stadium in Montevideo for the joint Uruguay-Argentina bid to host the 2030 World Cup. The argument presented for FIFA to approve the request is the historic significance of the venue as the first World Cup stadium. Nacional’s idea is for the Parque to once again host the opening match of the tournament, as it did in 1930 along with the now-defunct Estadio Pocitos.
Hosting the 1923 Copa América
A plaque commemorating the 1930 world championship of fútbol
In 2022
In 2023
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The First "Hincha"
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The Spanish word to describe football fans is "hincha [es]", and it was coined by Nacional fans. An employee of Nacional of the early 20th century, Prudencio Miguel Reyes, was famous for his continuous support to the team. The other fans that attended the games started to call him by one of his duties: pumping air to the balls (in Spanish: "inflar" the balls, in Uruguay: "hinchar" the balls). Within a few games, Reyes was known as the "hincha" of Nacional. This is the origin of a word that is frequently used by Spanish speakers worldwide.[2]
"The biggest flag in the world"
In June 2013, Nacional supporters displayed for the first time the biggest flag in the world as they called the emblem during a match vs. Deportivo Toluca played for the 2013 Copa Libertadores. The flag cost US$50,000, previously collected amongst the supporters La Banda Del Parque[3] The flag, 600 meters in length and 50 meters in height,[4] entered the Guinness World Records as "the biggest flag ever seen in a football match".[5]
The flag also weighed 5,000 kg, with 400 people being needed to move it.[6] La Banda Del Parque
Nicknames
Nacional is nicknamed "tricolores" ("three colours"), "albos" ("whites") and "bolsilludos", later shortened to "bolsos" ("bolsillo" being the Spanish word for pocket – Nacional used to play with a jersey that had a pocket on the chest). "La blanca" (another reference to the white jersey) is less common.
Players
Summarize
Perspective
Current squad
- As of 2 August 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Records
- Most appearances:
Emilio Álvarez (511 matches played) - Most years with the club: Héctor Scarone (21 years), (1917 to 1939)
- All-time greatest goalscorer:
Atilio García (465 goals) - Longest time without conceding a goal: Sergio Rochet (1064 minutes)
World Champion players
In 1924, Nacional was the club that contributed more players to Uruguay's team that won the Olympic gold medal in football of that year. It happened again with Uruguay's teams of 1928 and 1930, Olympic and world champions respectively, in which Nacional contributed the majority of players. Nacional is the only Uruguayan club that contributed players to every Uruguay national team that went on to win international tournaments.[7]
Below, the list of Nacional players that were part of Uruguay's Olympic and world champions teams.
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Notable coaches
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Honours
Senior titles
- Keys
- Record
- (s) Shared record
International friendlies
Youth tournaments
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Other sports
Summarize
Perspective
Basketball
Nacional participates in the tournaments organised by the Uruguayan basketball federation Federación Uruguaya de Basketball (known as FUBB) since 1932. The club won the championships of 1935 and 1937. Nowadays, Nacional takes part in the Liga Uruguaya de Basketball, Uruguayan basketball first division.
- Campeonato Federal (2): 1935 y 1937.
- Liguilla (2): 1982 y 1983.
Cycling
Nacional participates in the championships organised by the Uruguayan Cycling Federation Federación Ciclista del Uruguay since its beginnings. The club won the most important competitions in several occasions: Vuelta Ciclista del Uruguay and Rutas de América, individually and by teams. Nowadays, Nacional cycling team has the presence of Milton Wynants, winner of a silver medal for Uruguay in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Vuelta Ciclista del Uruguay (9)
- Teams (5): 1960, 1968, 1994, 1999, 2000[15]
- Individual (3)
- Leandro Noli: 1939
- Jorge Correa: 1968
- Milton Wynants: 1996
Rutas de América (6)
- Teams (5): 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000 y 2001.[16]
- General Individual (1)
- Gustavo Figueredo: 2000
Mil Millas Orientales (1)
- General Individual (1)
- Tomás Correa: 1960
Vuelta Ciclista del Paraguay (2)[17]
- Teams (1): 1998
- Individual (1)
- Gustavo Figueredo: 1998
Rugby
In April 2019, Nacional had announced that they would form a rugby union section[18] to compete in the 2020 season of the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby.[19] Nevertheless, it never occurred so Peñarol remained as the only Uruguayan representative in the league.
Tennis
Nacional has a lot of tennis courts in Parque Central, behind the stand Abdón Porte, in which several stages of the tournaments organised in Uruguay are disputed. In 2005, the club had the honour of holding various games played by Uruguay in the American Zone II of Davis Cup.
Volleyball
Nacional has its volleyball court in Parque Central, in the gymnasium of Jaime Cibils street. In that stadium, the club plays its home games of the championships organised by the Uruguayan volleyball federation Federación Uruguaya de Vóleibol in every category.
Men (9)
- Campeonato Federal (1): 1954.
- Super Liga Uruguaya de Voleibol (3): 2008, 2009,[20] 2010.
- Campeonato Uruguayo Livosur (1): 2010.
- Torneo Apertura Livosur (2): 2009, 2010.
- Torneo Clausura Livosur (2): 2006, 2008.
Women (4)
- Campeonato Federal (3): 1955, 1960, 1961.
- Torneo Abierto ciudad de Minas: 2011
Women's football
Nacional was part of the tournaments organised by the Department of Feminine Football of the Uruguayan Football Association, since its establishment in 1996, winning the Campeonato Uruguayo in 1997 and 2000. The club disaffiliated in 2005 and returned to the league in 2009 ending third in the annual standings. They won the championship in 2010 and 2011–2012. Internationally, Nacional played in various South American championships.
Official national tournaments (12)
- Campeonato Uruguayo (4): 1997, 2000, 2010, 2011/2012.
- Torneo Apertura (4): 1997, 1999, 2000, 2011.
- Torneo Clausura (2): 2002, 2012.
- Torneo Preparación Joseph Blatter (2): 2010, 2011.
Other national tournaments (3)
- Triangular Día Internacional de la Mujer (ciudad de Minas, departamento de Lavalleja) (1): 2011
- Triangular Internacional Diego Rodríguez (Rivera) (1): 2011
- Triangular Triangular Confraternidad en Artigas (1): 2012
International friendly tournaments (1)
- Cuadrangular Internacional Ciudad de San Nicolás de los Arroyos (Argentina) (1): 2011
Youth tournaments (3)
- Torneo Apertura Sub 18 (1): 2004
- Torneo Preparación Bicentenario Sub 16 (1): 2011
- Triangular Internacional Diego Rodríguez Sub 16 (1): 2011
Futsal
Nacional participates in the championships organised by de Futsal Delegated Commission of the Uruguayan Football Association. The club won the Uruguayan league title in various occasions and is nowadays the Uruguayan champion. Internationally, Nacionals main achievement is the second place in the South American Futsal Cup Copa Libertadores de América de Futsal in 2003.
Affiliate FIFUSA – AMF / FUdeFS
Official national tournaments (10)
- Campeonato Metropolitano (8): 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 y 1997.
- Campeonato Nacional de Clubes Campeones (2): 1994, 1997.
Official international tournaments(1)
- Campeonato Sudamericano de Clubes Campeones: 1996.
Affiliate FIFA / AUF
Official national tournaments (23)
- Campeonato Uruguayo (7): 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008 y 2009.
- Campeonato Metropolitano (5): 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007 y 2009.
- Copa de Honor (Liguilla Pre Libertadores) (3): 2006, 2010, 2011.
- Campeonato Apertura (5): 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008 y 2009.
- Campeonato Clausura (3): 1998, 2002 y 2009.
Official international tournaments (1)
- Ganador de la Zona Sur de la Copa Libertadores de Futsal: 2003.[21]
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See also
References
External links
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