Historical Crests América de Cali

Name: ​ América de Cali

Nickname(s): Los Diablos Rojos (The Red Devils), La Mechita (The Little Flame)

Founded: 1927

Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero

Capacity: 35,405

América de Cali Crest History

The crest history of América de Cali is dominated by two powerful symbols: the colour red and the figure of the devil. Although the club's badge has undergone numerous changes since its foundation, the red devil became so closely associated with América that it helped create the famous nickname Los Diablos Rojos, The Red Devils.

The earliest crest shown here, used between 1927 and 1940, was very different from the emblem that would later become famous. It consisted of a simple red circular outline containing the words AMERICA F.C.

At the centre was a red silhouette of the South American continent, emphasising the meaning of the club's name rather than using a specifically local symbol.

The restrained design reflected the club's early years. There was no devil, shield or football, but the use of red and white already established the colours that would become inseparable from América de Cali.

A fundamental change occurred around 1940, when the club introduced the symbol that would define its identity for generations.

The circular badge disappeared and was replaced by a traditional white shield outlined in red. Across the upper section appeared the name AMERICA, while the centre was occupied by a red devil carrying a trident.

A football was positioned near the devil's feet, directly connecting the figure with the sport.

The devil was not intended as a religious symbol. It developed from the club's growing reputation and the expression that América's players "played like devils", eventually becoming a visual representation of the team's nickname and competitive character.

Between 1950 and 1970, the badge was simplified into a more angular shield. The devil remained at the centre, still holding his trident and accompanied by a football.

The word AMERICA became larger and more prominent across the top, strengthening the club's name within the design.

During 1970–1977, the shield became more compact and rounded. The devil was redrawn in a more stylised form, while the football received a more recognisable panelled design.

By this stage, the combination of AMERICA, the devil and the football had become the established visual identity of the club.

A completely different emblem appeared in 1977, created to commemorate the club's 50th anniversary.

Instead of the devil, the commemorative circular badge displayed "América 50 años", surrounded by decorative laurel branches.

This design was temporary and represented the anniversary rather than a permanent change of identity.

Around 1980, América returned decisively to the devil crest. The 1980–1990 version used a white shield with a red border, the club name across the top and a large red devil dominating the centre.

This badge became particularly significant because it accompanied América during the club's extraordinary rise to the summit of Colombian and South American football during the 1980s.

América won five consecutive Colombian championships from 1982 to 1986, while also reaching three consecutive Copa Libertadores finals in 1985, 1986 and 1987.

As a result, the red devil emblem became internationally recognisable and increasingly inseparable from the identity of Los Diablos Rojos.

The 1990–2000 crest retained almost exactly the same concept. Changes were primarily graphical: the proportions of the shield, lettering and devil were refined, but the fundamental design remained untouched.

Between 2000 and 2005, the badge received another stylistic adjustment. The outline became cleaner and the word AMERICA was presented in more widely spaced lettering.

The devil was simplified into a strong red silhouette, maintaining the trident, tail and football that had become the defining components of the emblem.

The 2005–2007 version returned to a somewhat heavier shield and more traditional typography. Once again, the changes were evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

In 2007, América celebrated its 80th anniversary, resulting in several special commemorative designs.

One version replaced the devil entirely with the inscription "América 80 Años 1927–2007", using gold prominently alongside the traditional red and white.

Another elaborate anniversary emblem combined the 80 años reference with decorative elements, championship stars and a banner, creating one of the most detailed badges associated with the club.

These designs were commemorative and did not represent a permanent abandonment of América's established identity.

A particularly important change occurred between 2008 and 2010, when the devil disappeared from the official shield.

The simplified badge retained the traditional white shield with red outline but placed AMÉRICA, the foundation year 1927, and a series of red stars inside it.

The stars represented the club's Colombian league championships accumulated by that period and emphasised América's extraordinary domestic success.

Despite the absence of the devil from this version, the symbol remained deeply embedded in supporter culture and continued to be associated with the club.

In 2010, América restored the traditional devil design.

The 2010–2015 crest once again featured the familiar red devil with trident and football inside the white shield, reconnecting the official badge directly with the imagery that had represented the club during its greatest historical periods.

A further refinement followed in 2015. The shield became cleaner and more symmetrical, the typography was modernised and the devil was redrawn in a lighter, more streamlined style.

In 2017, América introduced the version that remains in use today.

The modern badge deliberately preserves the club's classic identity. A clean white shield with a dark-red outline contains the name América across the top.

Beneath it stands the famous red devil, holding his trident with his tail curling behind him and one foot positioned beside a football.

Compared with some earlier versions, the current design is considerably cleaner. Unnecessary graphical detail has been removed, allowing the devil, club name and football to dominate the composition.

The return to this traditional imagery was particularly appropriate during the period in which América was re-establishing itself among Colombia's leading clubs after several difficult years outside the top division.

América de Cali Club History

América de Cali is one of the most successful and widely supported football clubs in Colombia. Based in Cali, the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, the club officially recognises 13 February 1927 as its foundation date, although teams using the América name had existed in the city before then.

From its earliest years, América developed a strong identity around the colour red. Over time, the club became known as Los Diablos Rojos, The Red Devils, a nickname reinforced by the devil that became the central figure of its crest.

América was one of the clubs that participated in the inaugural season of Colombia's professional league in 1948, placing it among the historic institutions of the country's professional game.

Despite its popularity, major success did not arrive immediately. América spent its first three decades of professional football without winning the Colombian championship, creating a long and sometimes frustrating pursuit of a first league title.

The breakthrough finally came in 1979, when coach Gabriel Ochoa Uribe guided América to its first Colombian championship.

That title transformed the club. Rather than being an isolated success, it marked the beginning of the greatest period in América de Cali's history and established the team as one of the dominant forces in Colombian football.

Under Ochoa Uribe, América assembled powerful squads containing leading Colombian players alongside important foreign signings. The club's growing strength produced an extraordinary run of domestic success during the 1980s.

América won five consecutive Colombian league championships from 1982 through 1986, an exceptional achievement that established Los Diablos Rojos as the dominant Colombian side of the period.

Domestic success was accompanied by an increasingly important presence in the Copa Libertadores, where América became one of South America's strongest teams.

The club reached its first Copa Libertadores final in 1985, facing Argentinos Juniors of Argentina. After the teams exchanged victories, the title was decided following a playoff, with América ultimately losing in a penalty shoot-out.

América returned to the final in 1986, this time facing Argentine powerhouse River Plate. Once again, the Colombian club fell just short of winning South America's most prestigious trophy.

Remarkably, América reached a third consecutive Copa Libertadores final in 1987. The opponent was Peñarol of Uruguay, and the contest became one of the most painful episodes in América's history.

After the two-legged final finished level on points under the regulations of the period, a deciding match was required. América was only moments away from securing the championship when Peñarol scored late in extra time, denying the Colombian club its first Libertadores title.

Reaching the final in 1985, 1986 and 1987 nevertheless established América as one of the outstanding South American teams of the decade.

The club's extraordinary performances also earned international recognition. América was ranked among the world's leading club sides during this period, while players associated with the team became important figures for the Colombia national team.

Another Colombian championship followed in 1990, demonstrating that the club's golden era had not ended with the extraordinary five-title sequence of the previous decade.

América added another league championship in 1992 and remained one of Colombia's leading teams throughout the first half of the 1990s.

In 1996, América once again reached the Copa Libertadores final, almost a decade after its three consecutive appearances during the 1980s.

The opponent was again River Plate. América won the first leg 1–0 in Cali, but River overturned the deficit in Buenos Aires and won the return match 2–0, leaving América as Libertadores runner-up for the fourth time.

Those four final appearances — 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1996 — form one of the most remarkable records in Copa Libertadores history for a club that has never won the competition.

Domestic success continued. América won another Colombian championship in 1997, maintaining its position among the country's most decorated clubs.

A new generation produced another exceptional period around the beginning of the twenty-first century.

América captured three consecutive championships across the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Apertura competitions, confirming that the club remained capable of dominating Colombian football long after its celebrated 1980s teams.

Another championship followed in the 2008 Finalización, but this triumph was followed by one of the most difficult periods in the club's history.

América had suffered serious financial and institutional problems for years. One particularly damaging factor was the club's inclusion on the United States Clinton List, connected with concerns about links between Colombian football and drug-trafficking money.

The restrictions severely complicated the club's ability to conduct normal financial business and contributed to a prolonged economic crisis. América was eventually removed from the list in 2013, but by then the sporting consequences had become severe.

The lowest point arrived in 2011. After struggling near the bottom of the league, América entered the promotion/relegation playoff against Patriotas Boyacá.

The tie was ultimately decided by penalties, and América was relegated to Categoría Primera B for the first time.

For a club accustomed to championships and Copa Libertadores finals, relegation represented an enormous shock.

América then spent five seasons in the second division, repeatedly attempting to return to the Primera A while remaining one of the best-supported clubs in Colombian football.

Promotion finally arrived in 2016. América defeated Deportes Quindío in the decisive phase of the Primera B campaign, securing its long-awaited return to Colombia's highest division for 2017.

The comeback soon developed into a remarkable sporting revival.

In the 2019 Finalización, only three seasons after returning to the Primera A, América defeated Junior in the championship final and became Colombian champion again.

It was the club's 14th league championship and its first top-flight title since 2008.

América successfully followed that achievement by winning the 2020 championship, defeating Santa Fe in the final and claiming its 15th Colombian league title.

The back-to-back championships completed one of the most significant recoveries in Colombian football: within less than a decade, América had progressed from relegation and financial crisis to becoming national champion twice.

América's principal rivalry is with fellow Cali giant Deportivo Cali. Their meetings are known as the Clásico Vallecaucano, one of Colombia's oldest and most important football derbies.

The rivalry divides the city and the wider Valle del Cauca region. América's red and Deportivo Cali's green provide one of the most immediately recognisable colour contrasts in Colombian football.

América also has major competitive rivalries with clubs such as Atlético Nacional and Millonarios, particularly because these institutions have repeatedly competed for championships and positions among Colombia's most successful clubs.

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