In footballing terms, the team is nicknamedLa Academia (The Academy) because it was the most successful side during the amateur era, known for acreole style of play that set the standard and taught its rivals how the game should be played.[6] It is also known asEl Primer Grande (The First 'Big'), as it was the first of theBig Five to win a league title, a national cup, and an international trophy. Moreover, it was the first Argentine club to win theWorld Championship (Intercontinental Cup), achieving this historic milestone in 1967.[7][8]
Racing in 1910, when the squad promoted to Primera División
The club was officially established on 25 March 1903 under the nameFoot Ball Racing Club was officially founded.
Racing affiliated toArgentine Football Association (AFA) in 1905 and began to compete in the lower division championships organised by the body. After a failed attempt to promote toPrimera División at hands ofRiver Plate, Racing finally promoted in 1910 after defeatingBoca Juniors in the final.
The 1910s was a golden age for Racing so the team won a seven consecutive league titles (a record that remains unmatched to present days) between1913 Argentine Primera División and1919[2]. Besides, Racing won ninenational cups[10] and twoRioplatense cups to totalise 18 titles won within the decade.
That huge success earned the club the nickname "Academia" (Academy of football), known for acreole style of play that set the standard and taught its rivals how the game should be played.[11]
Racing's stadium history reflects its growth and challenges over time. Around the early 1900s, the club relocated to a new pitch on Miguel O'Gorman Street (now 25 de Mayo). This ground featured a modest wooden structure affectionately known asLa Caseta Multifunción (The Multipurpose Booth), which served various practical roles during the club’s early years.
However, due to frequent flooding at this location, Racing returned in 1906 to its previous grounds atAlsina y Colón.[12] Following the1946 season, when the government ofJuan Perón, through Finance Minister Ramón Cereijo, granted a loan to build a more modern venue, the team left this stadium.
In 1950, Racing inaugurated its current home,Estadio Presidente Perón (President Perón Stadium) and popularly known asEl Cilindro (The Cylinder). Today, it stands as the second largest stadium in Argentina, behind onlyRiver Plate’sMonumental.[13][14]
Panoramic view of the Racing Club stadium, August 2019
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^abAs the senior squad was competing in Primera División, Racing played with a reserve team.[19]
^The Copa Bullrich was an official football competition contested by clubs playing in the Second Division. TheAFA has not included this competition into thelist of national cups because only teams inPrimera División participated in those competitions.[20]
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