Atletico Madrid paid tribute to Athletic Bilbao's 125th anniversary today by giving them the red and white colors - Atlético instead wore their orange third kit. Let us find out why.
Atletico Madrid Were Founded By Basque Students of Athletic Bilbao as a Youth Branch
Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have a long-standing connection that dates back to the founding of Atletico Madrid in 1903. Atletico Madrid were founded as Athletic Club Sucursal de Madrid in 1903 by three Basque students living in Madrid. The founders saw the new club as a youth branch of their childhood team, Athletic Bilbao. Both Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have played in red and white stripes since 1911, and the two clubs have maintained a close relationship over the years.
To celebrate Athletic Bilbao's 125th anniversary, Atletico Madrid gave the red and white colors to Athletic Club for their match on February 19th.
Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid had the same crest from 1903 until 1910
Indeed, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid had the same crest in the first years after Atletico's foundation, from 1903 until 1910.
Both Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid's first-ever kits were half blue and half white. In 1910, Juan Elorduy, an Athletic Club player, traveled to England and brought back the first red and white shirts. Since 1911, both the Bilbao and Madrid teams are playing in their current colors of red and white stripes.
In 1990, Atlético Madrid already gave the red and white shirt to Athletic Club
This is not the first time that Atlético Madrid give away their home kit colors. In 1990, during Atlético Aviación's 50th-anniversary celebrations, Atlético Madrid gave the red and white shirt to Athletic Club, in a league game that took place at the Vicente Calderón, which Atletico won 2-0.
Not only did Atletico give Bilbao the opportunity to wear their home kit, but they also paid tribute to them before the game.
Do you like this tribute of Atlético Madrid of their former parent club Athletic Bilbao? Let us know in the comments below.