Foundation & history
Recognized as a “club of the masses”, Atletico has one of the most victorious histories of Brazilian soccer.
Founded on 25th March 1908 by students gathered in the Belo Horizonte City Park, Clube Atletico Mineiro has broken through the borders of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil as well as South America to become one of the world’s greatest soccer teams.
Throughout its history, Galo has been famous for being a widely popular team, which has provided the basis for its incredible growth. Its glorious history began its path right from its first match. On 21st March 1909, Atletico beat Sport Club Futebol by 3-0 at the adversary’s home. Its first goal was scored by Anibal Machado, who would later become a great Brazilian writer.
The Strong and Avenger Rooster
The Rooster (Galo) became the team’s mascot at the end of the 1930’s. Its inspiration comes from a black-and-white rooster, which was unbeatable at the city’s cockfights back then.
In 1945, cartoonist Fernando Pierucetti, known as “Mangabeira”, at request of the editor of Folha de Minas newspaper, was assigned to draw Clube Atletico Mineiro’s mascot. Mangabeira drew the strong and avenger Rooster (Galo forte e vingador) after the team and its fans’ characteristics, those which represented both the team’s bravery at the eld and its fans in the stands.
“Atletico has always been a brave team. It seems like a gamecock that will never give up”, said the cartoonist at the time.