River Plate is also one of the Cinco Grandes (alongside Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo, Racing Club and Independiente, of course) of Argentine football, but together with Boca Juniors it's one of the two biggest clubs in Argentina. But what's the club's history, and how do you book a football trip to River Plate? You can read more about this in this blog.
The origins of River Plate
Like most Argentine clubs, Club Atlético River Plate was founded at the start of the last century, in 1901, making it the oldest of the so-called Cinco Grandes. The club originated in the La Boca neighbourhood. Yes, just like Boca Juniors. Use your imagination for a moment: if River Plate were still based in the La Boca neighbourhood (barrio) today, would both clubs be as big as they are now?
The La Boca neighbourhood was, and still is, a working-class area. At the start of the last century, there was a great deal of unrest in the neighbourhood. Many dockworkers lived in La Boca and were often exploited, which frequently led to uprisings. On one hand, this was one of the reasons River Plate left the neighbourhood in 1923 and moved to the north of the city. It was here that the El Monumental stadium was eventually built.
River Plate's shirt is fantastic – every football fan recognises the white shirt with its distinctive red diagonal stripe. Combined with black shorts and white socks, it makes for one of the most beautiful kits in the world.
River Plate's nickname
Argentine football is steeped in nicknames, and every club has one, including River Plate. The Spanish word for nickname is apodo. River Plate's apodo is Los Millonarios. The reason for this nickname is that in the 1930s, the club bought a number of players for large sums of money. And so the apodo was born: Los Millonarios. And a nickname always sticks with you. So Los Millonarios has nothing to do with the wealthier neighbourhood where River Plate is based, Núñez, as is often thought.
River Plate's sporting successes
In the 1930s, the Argentine football association AFA set a number of requirements for clubs to be called a Grande. In the end, 5 clubs could call themselves Cinco Grandes: Boca Juniors, Independiente, Racing Club, River Plate and San Lorenzo. The championships in the decades that followed were also won by one of these 5 clubs. River Plate also won many championships, but there was also a first blemish on its record – in the 1960s, the club didn't win a single championship.
But over the past 20 years, most of the major national and international successes have gone to just the two great rivals, Boca Juniors and River Plate. River Plate is the more successful of the two, having won 36 national championships to date. On the other hand, Boca Juniors has been more successful internationally than River Plate. This will always remain a wonderful ongoing rivalry.
River Plate's arch-rival
The biggest rivalry in the world – can we call it that? In any case, it's the most famous: the battle between River Plate and Boca Juniors. And it all comes together in the match between them, the Superclásico. A total clash of opposites. The composed, attacking football of River Plate against the fighting spirit and stubbornness of Boca Juniors. The wealthy barrio of Núñez against the poor barrio of La Boca.
And things get fierce in the matches between these two, even outside the stadiums. Away supporters are no longer allowed in stadiums in Argentina these days, though this is still the case in South American tournaments. The great clash came in 2018, when the two rivals met each other in, of all places, the final of the Copa Libertadores. The final was played over 2 legs, with the second leg due to be played at El Monumental, River Plate's fantastic home ground. Due to disturbances outside the stadium, during which the Boca Juniors team bus was attacked, it was decided that the second leg would ultimately be played in Madrid. In this clash, River Plate won the Copa Libertadores by winning 3-1, which was enough after the 2-2 draw in La Bombonera.
The indelible stain on River Plate's history
We just mentioned the first blemish – the decade of the 1960s without a single championship. But the biggest stain on River Plate's club history is their relegation in 2012. Unprecedented and almost unimaginable, especially since 2 years earlier one of the greatest players the club has ever had, Daniel Passarella, became club president.
And this disgrace can, of course, never be erased. In La Boca, a week-long celebration took place. Riots naturally broke out around the El Monumental stadium. And River Plate supporters still hear about it in stadiums through countless chants. And River Plate's relegation means that arch-rival Boca Juniors, of all clubs, is the only club in the top division never to have been relegated.
Attending a River Plate match
As you can see, River Plate's history is also huge and fascinating, full of incredible stories. But River Plate is quite different from Boca Juniors. Where Boca Juniors is far more famous and legendary abroad, and therefore attracts far more tourists, River Plate might be far more authentic.
El Monumental holds more than 80,000 spectators – truly immense, and currently the largest stadium in South America. And 80,000 people create a wonderful atmosphere around the stadium, in the streets of the Núñez neighbourhood and in the parks. It's relaxed but with a lovely atmosphere, and you can comfortably mix with River Plate supporters.
So a River Plate match is also an absolute must-see, a real bucket list item. When you book a 12-day package with us, you'll spend 2 weekends in Buenos Aires and are automatically guaranteed a River Plate match! And you'll simply travel with your own group, accompanied by one of our passionate guides who can tell you everything about River Plate.
Will you join us?
