Nacional Atlético Clube

Nacional Atlético Clube, better known as NAC, is the main football club in the city of Muriaé, in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais. Founded in 1927, it is one of the most traditional and beloved clubs in the interior of Minas Gerais, recognized in 2025 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the municipality.

History

Nacional Atlético Clube was founded on December 25, 1927, in the city of Muriaé, in the interior of Minas Gerais, emerging from a split of a local club called Paulistano Futebol Clube. The first president of the club was Hércules Marcondes Nacif, and the team was born adopting the colors red, black, and white. The club turned professional in 1969, the year it won the title of the Second Division of Minas Gerais football. From then on, it remained in the state's first division for 11 consecutive seasons until 1980, when the lack of financial and institutional support forced the interruption of that trajectory. Among its main achievements is the 1977 Incentivo Tournament, disputed among professional Minas Gerais teams. NAC plays its home games at Soares de Azevedo Stadium, inaugurated with its current structure in 2014 and named in honor of the sports enthusiast who donated the land for its construction, with capacity for almost 14,000 fans — well above the city's usual size, a reflection of the local passion for the club. In February 2025, Nacional Atlético Clube was officially recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Muriaé, consolidating its historical and social role in the city, even after periods of competitive inactivity throughout its nearly centennial trajectory.