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Big Three (Spain)

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Big Three (Spanish: Los Tres Grandes) is the nickname of the three most successful and biggest football clubs in Spain.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are, in that order, the three greatest La Liga winners, winning most of its seasons especially since the 1960s. They won all but three of the Spanish First Division 1984–85 season, and since the 2004–05 season no other club won this championship.[9]

In the same order, this trio has the biggest amount of supporters.[10] Blancos, blaugranas and rojiblancos also are the only three Spanish clubs regarded as "World Champions":[11] as runner up of 1973–74 European Cup, Atleti could beat Independiente in 1974 Intercontinental Cup.[12] Real Madrid had already won the 1960 Intercontinental Cup and would achieve also the 1998 and 2002 ones before Barça win its first world title in 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.[13] In the FIFA tournament, Barcelona could also win in 2011 and in 2015, while Real Madrid won it in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2024.[11]

The proposal of European Super League, in the beginning of the 2020s, had just these three clubs to represent Spanish football.[14] They are indeed the national clubs with best campaigns in UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid (fifteen titles, a record) and Barcelona (five) are the only Spanish teams to win it; among the non-winners, Atlético have the biggest number of finals achieved (three, one above Valencia).[15]

History

[edit]

La Liga was created in 1929 and,[9] for its first 25 years, there were more variety of winnings clubs: in 1953, prior to arrival of Alfredo Di Stéfano at Real Madrid, this club was not even among the four biggest champions of the tournament, by having just two titles, less than Barcelona (six), Athletic Bilbao (five), Atlético de Madrid (four) and Valencia (three).[16] Also from those first years, Seville clubs had their only titles in Spanish First Division: Sevilla at 1945–46 season and Real Betis at 1934–35.[9]

Before La Liga creation, the main national trophy was the Copa del Rey. Barcelona and Athletic, the biggest La Liga winners until the end of the 1950s,[9] still hold by the 2020s the biggest number of titles in that Cup.[17] Since the 1960s, however, Athletic have just two more winning seasons at La Liga, both in the 1980s.[9] This made even the Basque media accept Athletic at outside the Big Three group of teams.[18]

On the other hand, while Real Madrid saw a surge in the number os trophies since the mid 1950s, quickly establishing itself as the biggest winner of UEFA Champions League and La Liga, Atlético and Barcelona pass through the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s by having just one or two La Liga number of titles as difference,[19][20] before the coming of Johan Cruijff as Barça manager.[21]

In the three decades between the "Cruijff Era" in the 1990s and Lionel Messi years by the 2000s and 2010s, Barcelona achieved more times La Liga then the whole period between inaugural 1929 season and 1989.[21] Atlético suffered a particular decline by most of these years, including a relegation at 1999–2000 season.[22] Atleti supporters saw another clubs being regarded as the "third strongest" against Real Madrid and Barcelona duo: firstly with Deportivo La Coruña in the ending of the 1990s,[23] and then with Valencia in the beginning of the 2000s.[24] Even in that time, however, Atlético kept mentioned as one of the Tres Grandes,[25] and promoting itself as well.[26]

From the 2010s onwards, Atlético re-established itself as a consistent contender for trophies.[27] Its Madrid derby decided twice the UEFA Champions League an one UEFA Super Cup, while the clashes against Barcelona renewed prominence by being recognized as El Otro Clásico ("The Other Derby").[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]

People in all three clubs

[edit]

Footballers

[edit]
  • Spain Luis Miranda: Real Madrid 1939,[38] Barcelona 1939–1940, Atlético de Madrid 1941 [39]
  • Germany Bernd Schuster: Barcelona 1980–1988, Real Madrid 1988–1990, Atlético de Madrid 1990–1993[39]
  • Spain Miquel Soler: Barcelona 1988–1991 and 1992–1993, Atlético de Madrid 1991–1992, Real Madrid 1995–1996[39]

Before playing in all three clubs, Soler curiously played for Espanyol, the other club from Barcelona city.[40] Alfredo Di Stéfano also participated in matches by these four clubs, although he wore Barcelona and Atlético uniform only in friendlies.[41][42]

Coaches

[edit]
  • Serbia Radomir Antić: Real Madrid 1991–1992, Atlético de Madrid 1995–1998, 1999 and 2000 and Barcelona 2003 [8]

Antić, as Real Madrid manager, could not prevent Barcelona's titles under Johan Cruijff. The Serb was particularly recognized at Atlético de Madrid, as the coach of the historic double at 1995–96 season, with titles in both La Liga and (by winning Barcelona in the final) Copa del Rey. Thus, he was urgently called upon in 2000 to try and avoid Atleti relegation, which proved impossible, although his team could reach the 2000 Copa del Rey final. In 2002, Antić then went to Barcelona, averting the threat of relegation seen in the beginning of 2002–03 season and promoting Andrés Iniesta's debut in the first team.[43] That 1996 Spanish title was the only won by Atlético at First Division between the 1970s and the 2010s.[20]

Miscellaneous

[edit]
  • Spain Josep Samitier: Barcelona player 1919–1932 and coach 1944–1997; Real Madrid player 1932–1934 and Atlético de Madrid coach 1936 [44]
  • Spain Ricardo Zamora: Barcelona player 1919–1922; Real Madrid player 1930–1936;[45] Atlético de Madrid coach 1939–40 and 1940–1936
  • Spain Luis Aragonés: Real Madrid player 1958–1960; Atlético de Madrid player 1964–1974 and coach 1974–1978, 1979–1980, 1982–1987, 1991–1993 and 2001–2003;[46] Barcelona coach 1986–1987 [47]

Zamora and Aragonés both had times also in Espanyol,[45][48] also a club from Barcelona city. Zamora was the coach who won the first two titles of Atlético at La Liga.[49][50]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "La comparativa del gasto en fichajes de los tres grandes que deja al Atleti mal parado" [The comparison of spending on tokens of the big three that leaves Atleti in bad shape]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 25 July 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Hacía más de 10 años que el Valencia no perdía ante los tres 'grandes' en Mestalla" [It's been more than 10 years since Valencia didn't lose to the 'Big' three in Mestalla]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 24 February 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "El terrible calendario que espera a Barcelona, Real Madrid y Atlético" [The terrible calendar that awaits Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid and Atlético]. Marca (in Spanish). 21 February 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026. {{cite web}}: zero width space character in |trans-title= at position 46 (help)
  4. ↑ "Real Madrid, Atlético y Barcelona: las porterías de los tres grandes, en vilo" [Real Madrid, Atlético and Barcelona: the goalkeepers of the big three, on video]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). 21 February 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Los últimos 10 campeones de LaLiga si excluyéramos a Real madrid, FC Barcelona y Atlético de Madrid" [The last 10 LaLiga champions exclude Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid]. 90min (in Spanish). 21 April 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Los nuevos fichajes que han hecho los tres grandes de LaLiga: el Real Madrid, el Barcelona y el Atlético de Madrid" [The new chips that han hecho the big three of LaLiga: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid]. Sports Illustrated (in Spanish). 17 July 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Bernardo Silva, entre los tres grandes de España: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona y Atlético de Madrid quieren al portugués" [Bernardo Silva, among Spain's big three: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid want the Portuguese man]. Infobae (in Spanish). 12 December 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Murió Radomir Antic, el único en la historia que entrenó a los tres grandes de España" [Radomir Antic, the only one in history who managed Spain's Big Three, passes awy]. Clarín (in Spanish). 6 April 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Who has won the LaLiga championship? All-time winners list". ESPN. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Real Madrid, Barcelona e mais: Saiba quais são as maiores torcidas da Espanha" [Real Madrid, Barcelona and more: Find out which are the biggest fan bases in Spain]. BolaVIP (in Portuguese). 24 November 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Todos os campeões mundiais de clubes: com título do Real Madrid, veja lista" [All Club World Cup champions: with Real Madrid's title, see the list]. Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 18 December 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sem título europeu, Atlético de Madrid celebra 50 anos do Mundial de Clubes; entenda" [Without a European title, Atlético de Madrid celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Club World Cup; understand why.]. Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 10 April 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Barcelona é o campeão do mundo pela 1ª vez" [Barcelona are world champions for the first time.]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 20 December 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "Atlético Madrid CEO slams uncertainty caused by Super League". ESPN. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "UEFA Champions League roll of honour: Real Madrid, AC Milan among top men's title winners - full list". Olympics. 30 May 2026. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "A solas con Di Stéfano" [One-on-one with Di Stéfano]. El Gráfico (in Spanish). 7 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Who has won Copa del Rey? All-time winners list". ESPN. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "El Athletic es el primer club tras los tres grandes con más ingresos comerciales en LaLiga" [El Athletic is the first club behind the big three with the most commercial income in LaLiga]. El Gráfico (in Spanish). 4 April 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "70 anos do primeiro artilheiro Cano, que defendeu Argentina e Espanha" [70th birthday of the first goalscorer Cano, who played for Argentina and Spain.]. Futebol Portenho (in Portuguese). 5 February 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  20. 1 2 "25 anos do primeiro grito de Simeone com o Atlético de Madrid: a dobradinha Copa e Liga de 1996" [25 years since Simeone's first triumph with Atlético de Madrid: the 1996 Cup and League double.]. Futebol Portenho (in Portuguese). 25 May 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Barcelona, antes e depois de Cruyff" [Barcelona, before and after Cruyff]. El País (in Portuguese). 20 May 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Time Espanhol se equilibrou após 2ª divisão" [The Spanish team found its footing after being relegated to the second division.]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 18 November 2002. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "La Coruña" (PDF). Placar n. 1131-A, p. 9 (in Portuguese). September 1997. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Valencia - Campeão à italiana" [Valencia - An Italian-style champion]. Placar n. 1273-B, p. 12 (in Portuguese). September 1997. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "Três grandes atuam hoje na Espanha" [Big Three play today in Spain]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 18 October 1997. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "ATLÉTICO DE MADRID". Placar n. 1273-B, p. 14 (in Portuguese). September 1997. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  27. ↑ "FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid: resultado, resumen y gol del partido de la jornada 15 de LaLiga EA Sports" [FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid: result, summary and goal of the match from matchday 15 of LaLiga EA Sports]. Estadio Deportivo (in Spanish). 3 December 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  28. ↑ "Las cinco polémicas que marcaron el Barcelona vs Atlético" [The five controversies that marked the Barcelona vs Atlético match]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 4 June 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "Triunfo en el otro Clásico, en el mejor homenaje a La Masía" [Triumph in the other Clásico, in the best tribute to La Masia]. FC Barcelona (in Spanish). 3 November 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "Atlético Madrid Barcelona, el otro clásico del sábado" [Atlético Madrid v Barcelona, the other Clásico on Saturday]. Diario Río Negro (in Spanish). 23 November 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  31. ↑ "El Atlético quiere avivar su Clásico ante el Barça para hacer buenos los recuerdos" [Atlético wants to reignite their Clásico against Barça to make the memories last year look good.]. Artículo 14 (in Spanish). 11 December 2025. Archived from the original on 18 April 2026. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  32. ↑ "Messi sentencia el otro clásico" [Messi seals the other Clásico]. La Tribuna (in Spanish). 22 January 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  33. ↑ "El otro clásico se vive en Vistalegre" [The other Clásico match takes place in Vistalegre]. ABC (in Spanish). 20 December 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  34. ↑ "FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid: resultado, resumen y gol del partido de la jornada 15 de LaLiga EA Sports" [FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid: result, summary and goal of the match from matchday 15 of LaLiga EA Sports]. Estadio Deportivo (in Spanish). 3 December 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  35. ↑ "FC Barcelona – Atlético de Madrid: resultado, resumen y gol del partido de la jornada 15 de LaLiga EA Sports" [The Champions League measures Barça's wound against Atlético's tooth]. Público (in Spanish). 3 December 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  36. ↑ "Los duelos entre Barça y Atlético encierran tanta historia como el Clásico" [The clashes between Barça and Atlético hold as much history as El Clásico.]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 12 December 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  37. ↑ "Los duelos entre Barça y Atlético encierran tanta historia como el Clásico" [The clashes between Barça and Atlético hold as much history as El Clásico.]. Sports Illustrated (in Spanish). 12 December 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  38. ↑ "Miranda". Real Madrid. Retrieved 12 October 2026. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  39. 1 2 3 "Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona – Duel between two legends of Spanish football". La Liga. 3 April 2026. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  40. ↑ "'Súper' Soler: "Con este Messi brutal, mi favorito es el Barça"" ['Super' Soler: “With this incredible Messi, my favorite team is Barça”]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 24 April 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  41. ↑ "Argentinos de Atlético e Real" [Argentinians from Atlético and Real]. Futebol Portenho (in Portuguese). 23 May 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  42. ↑ "Ídolo e nome de estádio do Real, Di Stéfano jogou amistosos pelo Barcelona" [A Real Madrid idol and namesake of a stadium, Di Stéfano played friendly matches for Barcelona.]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). 29 April 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  43. ↑ "O adeus a Radomir Antic, o treinador que liderou o Atleti a uma das temporadas mais espetaculares do futebol espanhol" [Farewell to Radomir Antic, the coach who led Atlético Madrid to one of the most spectacular seasons in Spanish football.]. Trivela (in Portuguese). 20 April 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "José SAMITIER VILALTA" [José SAMITIER VILALTA]. International Olympic Committee (in Portuguese). 21 January 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  45. 1 2 "Como um dos maiores goleiros da história viveu seu último milagre: o relato de Zamora" [How one of the greatest goalkeepers in history experienced his last miracle: Zamora's story.]. Trivela (in Portuguese). 21 January 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  46. ↑ "Un año sin Luis Aragonés" [One year without Luis Aragonés]. Atlético de Madrid (in Spanish). 1 February 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  47. ↑ "Luis Aragonés (1987–88)" [Luis Aragonés (1987–88)]. FC Barcelona (in Spanish). 1 February 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  48. ↑ "Luis Aragonés: 1938–2014" [Luis Aragonés: 1938–2014]. UEFA (in Portuguese). 1 February 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  49. ↑ "¡Campeones de nuestra primera Liga!" [Champions of our first Liga!]. Atlético de Madrid (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  50. ↑ "¡Campeones de la segunda Liga!" [Liga Champions for Second Time!]. Atlético de Madrid (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 August 2026.
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