Athletic Club

Athletic Club de Bilbao is unique in world football for following a policy of hiring only Basque players, preserving its cultural identity unshakably. Despite this restriction, the club has competed in La Liga since the first edition of the championship in 1929, never having been relegated. The new San Mamés, opened in 2013, is considered one of the best arenas in Europe.

History

Founded in 1898, Athletic Club was one of the pioneers of Spanish football and one of three teams that have never been relegated from the top division, alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona. The club dominated Spanish football in the 1930s and 1940s, winning eight La Liga titles and forming the backbone of Spain's national team of that era. The policy of using only players from the Basque region is more than a sporting rule — it is a declaration of cultural identity and regional pride. In recent years, the club has remained competitive and reached Copa del Rey finals, maintaining its reputation as a team that never gives in.