Black and white vertical stripes. This is the uniform of Clube Atlético Mineiro — simple, classic, and powerful. The Rooster's jersey tells the story of one of the most traditional clubs in Brazilian football, with roots dating back to 1908.
The Origin of the Black and White Stripes
Atlético Mineiro was founded on March 25, 1908, by students from Colégio Izidoro Martins in Belo Horizonte. The black and white stripes were inspired by the great European clubs of the time, especially Juventus and Notts County. From the very first game — Atlético 3 x 0 Sport Club Futebol, on March 21, 1909 — the black and white vertical stripes were already present on the chests of the Atlético players.
The Jersey that Conquered Europe in the Ice
In 1950, Atlético Mineiro made a victorious tour of Europe, earning the symbolic title of "Ice Champion." Playing and winning in the snow and against tough opponents in France, Belgium, and Germany, the Rooster's feat is celebrated in the club's anthem. The black and white jersey crossed the Atlantic and showed the world that Minas Gerais football had plenty of quality.
Reinaldo and the 28 Goals: Brazil's Most Decisive Jersey
Reinaldo broke the record for goals in a single Brazilian Championship in 1977: he scored 28 goals in the Rooster's black and white jersey. His record was only surpassed 20 years later by Edmundo. The center-forward is the greatest star in the club's history — he played from 1973 to 1985, scoring 254 goals and winning eight Minas Gerais championships. Curiously, the King was never the top scorer in the Minas Gerais Championship, as his trips with the National Team prevented him from playing all state games.
The First Champion of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the Copa Conmebol
Atlético Mineiro is the first champion of Minas Gerais, the first team to win the Brazilian Championship (1971), and the first club from Minas to win the Copa Conmebol (1992 and 1997). The Rooster is the team that has finished in the top four the most times in the Brasileirão since 1971: 14 times. The black and white jersey is, therefore, one of the most victorious uniforms in the history of national football.
Reinaldo and the Hemoglobin Blood
Few know, but in the blood of all Atlético fans flows hemoglobin and white blood cells from "coxas-brancas" (a nickname for Coritiba fans). One of the clubs that gave rise to Atlético is a result of a dissident group from the "alviverdes" (another nickname for Coritiba fans). In 1912, the Leão and Maeder families broke away from the Coritiba board and, encouraged by the Guimarães family, founded Internacional de Curitiba. Twelve years later, Internacional merged with América, and Atlético Paranaense was formed — and not Atlético Mineiro, which followed its own path in Belo Horizonte.
The Rooster's Jersey: A Minas Gerais Pride
With the conquest of the Copa Libertadores in 2013 and the Club World Cup that same year, with Ronaldinho Gaúcho's legendary goal, Atlético Mineiro's black and white jersey became one of the most coveted uniforms on the planet. At Garrincha Shirts, you can find historic Rooster models to celebrate this unique tradition.