Historical Crests Clube Atlético Mineiro

Name: ​ ​Clube Atlético Mineiro

Nickname(s): Galo (The Rooster), Alvinegro (The Black and White)

Founded: 1908

Stadium: Arena MRV

Capacity: 44,892

Clube Atlético Mineiro Crest History

The crest history of Clube Atlético Mineiro shows the development of one of Brazilian football’s most recognisable identities. Despite several refinements over more than a century, the club has remained remarkably faithful to three fundamental elements: the initials CAM, the black-and-white colours, and, from the late 1920s onward, a striped shield. The star later placed above the crest became another familiar part of Atlético’s visual identity.

The earliest crest shown, used from 1908 to 1915, was very different from the modern badge. It consisted of a large circular emblem containing an elaborate intertwined CAM monogram. Rendered entirely in black and white, it established both the club initials and colours from Atlético’s foundation.

Between 1915 and 1927, the monogram was redesigned inside a horizontally stretched oval. The letters became more geometric and tightly interconnected, producing a simpler emblem while retaining the same basic concept.

A decisive transformation came in 1927. Atlético abandoned the oval monogram and introduced the shield format that would become the foundation of its permanent identity. The initials CAM appeared across a black upper panel, while alternating black-and-white vertical stripes filled the lower section.

The 1937–1940 version refined this new design. The shield became slightly broader and more symmetrical, while the CAM lettering and vertical stripes were given cleaner proportions.

Between 1940 and 1950, Atlético introduced a more elaborate shield with a distinctive curved upper edge and multiple outlines. The black field containing CAM remained above the striped lower section, firmly establishing the structure still recognisable in the modern crest.

The 1950–1960 version simplified the outlines and produced a taller, cleaner shield. The lettering became more angular, while the vertical black-and-white stripes continued unchanged as the central visual feature.

During 1960–1970, the crest became broader and heavier. The upper section was enlarged, the CAM lettering was modified and the black areas became more dominant, giving the badge a particularly strong appearance.

The 1970–1972 version again adjusted the proportions, producing a slightly narrower shield with cleaner lettering and a more balanced striped section.

An important addition appeared in 1972. Following Atlético’s historic 1971 Brazilian championship, a golden star was positioned above the crest. The 1972–1980 badge therefore established the combination of shield and star that would become strongly associated with Atlético Mineiro.

Only subtle refinements followed during 1980–1982 and 1982–1983. The shield became progressively cleaner and more compact, while the golden star remained prominently positioned above it.

Between 1983 and 1987, Atlético experimented with additional decoration around the badge. The familiar golden star remained above the shield, while several smaller red stars appeared beneath and around it. The underlying CAM shield, however, remained essentially unchanged.

The 1987–1992 and 1992–1997 versions returned to a much simpler presentation. The additional red stars disappeared, leaving the traditional black-and-white shield accompanied by a single golden star.

During the 1990s, Atlético experimented again with stars representing different achievements. The 1994–1997 variation displayed two stars above the crest, while the 1997–1998 version used a gold and a red star. The 1998–2006 badge featured a central golden star accompanied by two smaller red stars.

From 2006 to 2016, Atlético returned once more to the cleaner traditional presentation. A single golden star appeared above a carefully refined CAM shield, with stronger outlines and balanced black-and-white stripes.

For the club’s centenary in 2008, Atlético introduced a special commemorative emblem. The design featured a large golden “100”, the word Atlético and the phrase “anos de paixão” (“years of passion”), using black and gold to celebrate the club’s first century.

Another refinement arrived in 2016. The 2016–Present crest retains the classic shield but uses cleaner lines, more regular vertical stripes and carefully balanced lettering. The golden star remains positioned centrally above the badge.

Clube Atlético Mineiro Club History

Clube Atlético Mineiro was founded on 25 March 1908 in Belo Horizonte by a group of young students and quickly developed into one of the most important football clubs in Brazil. Universally known as Galo (The Rooster) and identified by its famous black-and-white colours, Atlético has built a history characterised by state dominance, major national and international triumphs, passionate support and an intense rivalry with Cruzeiro.

Atlético was one of the pioneers of organised football in Minas Gerais. The club won the inaugural Campeonato Mineiro in 1915 and gradually established itself as one of the state's leading teams. Its popularity grew beyond traditional social divisions, helping Atlético develop one of the largest and most passionate supporter bases outside Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

One of the club's earliest national achievements came in 1937, when Atlético won the Torneio dos Campeões, a competition involving leading state champions. Decades later, the Brazilian Football Confederation officially recognised the competition as a Brazilian national championship, giving Atlético another important place in the early history of national club football.

Atlético became a dominant force in Minas Gerais during the following decades, accumulating Campeonato Mineiro titles and developing fierce local rivalries. Its greatest rivalry emerged with Cruzeiro, with their meetings becoming known as the Clássico Mineiro, one of the major derbies in Brazilian football.

The creation of a modern national championship provided Atlético with the opportunity to establish itself among Brazil's leading clubs. The defining breakthrough came in 1971, when the Galo won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Coached by Telê Santana and featuring players such as Dadá Maravilha, Atlético finished ahead of São Paulo and Botafogo in the decisive phase to become Brazilian champion.

Atlético remained one of Brazil's strongest teams throughout much of the 1970s and 1980s. Teams featuring players such as Reinaldo, Toninho Cerezo, Éder Aleixo and Luizinho became famous for their attacking football. Despite regularly challenging for major honours, however, further Brazilian league championships proved elusive.

Continental competition also became an important part of Atlético's history. The club won the Copa CONMEBOL in 1992, defeating Olimpia of Paraguay in the final. Atlético captured the tournament for a second time in 1997, making it the competition's most successful club.

The beginning of the twenty-first century brought significant difficulties. Atlético suffered relegation from Série A in 2005, one of the lowest moments in its history. The response was immediate: the Galo won the 2006 Série B championship, earning promotion back to the top division and beginning a gradual rebuilding process.

The club entered one of the greatest periods in its history during the early 2010s. With a team featuring Ronaldinho, Diego Tardelli, Jô, Bernard and goalkeeper Victor, Atlético embarked on an extraordinary 2013 Copa Libertadores campaign. Dramatic comeback victories became a feature of the tournament, with Victor's famous late penalty save against Tijuana becoming one of the defining moments in club history.

Atlético reached the Libertadores final against Olimpia. After losing the first leg 2–0 in Paraguay, the Galo overturned the deficit in Belo Horizonte and eventually won the championship on penalties. It was Atlético Mineiro's first Copa Libertadores title and one of the greatest achievements in the club's history.

More success followed. Atlético won the Recopa Sudamericana in 2014 and later that year captured its first Copa do Brasil, defeating arch-rivals Cruzeiro over two legs in the final. Winning a major national trophy directly against its greatest rival made the achievement particularly significant for Atlético supporters.

Another historic period arrived in 2021. Under coach Cuca, a team led by players including Hulk, Nacho Fernández and Guilherme Arana dominated Brazilian football. Atlético won the Campeonato Brasileiro, ending a fifty-year wait for another top-flight league championship, and then completed a remarkable domestic double by winning the Copa do Brasil. Together with the Campeonato Mineiro, the season became one of the greatest in the club's history.

Atlético Mineiro’s greatest rivalry is with Cruzeiro, with their encounters forming the Clássico Mineiro, one of the fiercest and most important derbies in Brazilian football. The rivalry dominates football culture in Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais and has been intensified by decades of competition for the Campeonato Mineiro and major national honours, including Atlético’s memorable victory over Cruzeiro in the 2014 Copa do Brasil final. Atlético also has a historic rivalry with América Mineiro, traditionally known as the Clássico das Multidões; this was particularly significant during the early decades of football in Belo Horizonte, when América and Atlético were the dominant forces in the state. While Cruzeiro is unquestionably Atlético’s principal modern rival, matches against América remain an important part of the traditional football identity of Minas Gerais.

Back to Historical Crests Brazil