Sport
The top 10 most successful teams from Buenos Aires
There some cities that are true footballing meccas and Buenos Aires is one of them. The capital city of Argentina is very much the hub of this football-mad nation with every second suburb having a major team to brag about. The Buenos Aires metropolitan area is not only home to 13 million people but to 19 of the top 30 successful clubs in Argentine history. These clubs are cultural icons in this part of the world boasting die-hard fans and some of the fiercest rivalries in the world. Alongside this passion is a host of decorated teams that have not only won their national title but also the Copa Libertadores and even the Club World Cup. With that in mind, just who are the most successful teams from Buenos Aires?
10: Ferro Carril Oeste (2 titles)
One of Buenos Aires lesser known sides, Ferro Carril Oeste have a coveted history stretching back several decades. Based in the heart of the city, Ferro are a side who were most prominent in the 1980s where they won two league titles. Their first came in 1982 where they defeated Quilmes in the final to claim their first major trophy in a season having narrowly missed out in the final just one year prior. Their next success came in 1984 where they lost just once all season before defeating River Plate in the final and avenging their 1981 defeat. After those successes, the club struggled and dropped into the lower leagues and are a regular in the second tier of the Argentine football system.
9: Argentinos Juniors (3 titles)
Known for having a stellar youth system, Argentinos Juniors have been responsible for producing some of Argentina’s best players. The likes of Esteban Cambiasso, Fernando Redondo and a certain Diego Armando Maradona have all started off life at the club. With such a rich array of form, Argentinos have enjoyed varying success in their existence. None more so than in 1985. After winning the national league, they would go on to win the 1985 Copa Libertadores final beating Colombian side America de Cali to win their only continental title. After a lean period in the 1990s, Argentinos would find more success in the 2010s winning the 2010 Clausura title after beating Huracan in the final.
8: Lanus (4 titles)
For Lanus fans, the 21st century has been a revolution for the side. After struggling for much of the 1900s, the club came alive in the 2000s and their recent haul of trophies have proven this. Their first trophy came in 2007 where a win against Boca Juniors secured their first Primera Division title. More success would come via the continental scene in 2013 where they won the Copa Sudamericana after defeating Brazilian side Ponte Preta 4-0 in the final. Perhaps the club’s finest moment came in 2016 where they won the special Copa del Bicentenario in 2016 as the league reset to a national one-stage format. Alongside claiming that year’s Supercopa, Lanus proved they are one of Argentina’s top sides of the modern era.
7: Huracan (7 titles)
There are fewer sides that have quite an enduring legacy than Huracan. The club have a reach history thanks to a lot of success early in their formation. Much of this success occurred in the 1920s where they won 4 titles during that decade. This included consecutive title wins in 1921 and 1922 before adding two more wins in 1925 and 1928. After some lean years, there has been fleeting successes every now and again. This included a league title in 1973 edging out Boca Juniors in that season’s title race. Despite having not won a league title since then, Huracan have won silverware in the modern era when they won the 2014 Copa Argentina after beating Rosario Central on penalties to win their first trophy in several decades. They added the 2015 Supercopa Argentina to that list just a few months later showing their resurgence was all but complete.
6: Velez Sarsfield (12 trophies)
If you are looking for a club that has always been fighting for trophies, then Velez Sarsfield often comes to mind. Velez have been winning trophies on a regular basis since the 1960s and have been successful both in domestic and continental competitions. Velez’s first title came in a memorable 3-way tie in 1968 to secure their maiden title. It would be the 1990s where Velez would be almost unstoppable on all fronts. This included no less than 4 league titles from 1993-1998 winning 3 Clausura titles as part of this success. In 1994, they would add continental silverware to their cabinet beating Sao Paulo on penalties to win the 1994 Copa Libertadores trophy. More trophies have come in the 21st century too winning 3 more Clausura titles before winning the 2013 Primera Division title. It’s a showcase that Velez are always one of the best challengers to throw the gauntlet down to bigger sides any time across South America.
5: San Lorenzo (17 titles)
Considered part of the “big five” in Argentine football, San Lorenzo have worked hard to reach their elite status. Indeed, much of San Lorenzo’s success went unrecognised for several decades. Having won rival competitions before World War II, it meant that the first 6 titles for the side weren’t originally counted. This all changed when they won their first Primera Division title in 1946 and the trophies haven’t stopped flowing since. The 1970s were a particularly successful time for Los Santos where they won both the 1972 and 1974 titles. They found more success in the 2010s where they added continental silverware to their list of accomplishments. Having won the 2013 Inicial title, they would win the 2014 Copa Libertadores title beating Paraguay’s Nacional 3-1 to complete the grand set of titles. A fitting way to be part of the elite teams in South America.
4: Racing Club (22 titles)
It seems that success has been set for Racing ever since they first turned professional in 1903. The Avellaneda-based side dominated early Argentine football to the point they won 8 straight league titles from 1913-1921. This trophy haul was repeated in the 1950s where Racing won 5 more titles including three successive league titles from 1949-1951. Continental domination wasn’t too far away either when they won the Copa Libertadores in 1967 after beating Uruguay’s Nacional 2-1. They would even take success global that year where they won the 1967 Intercontinental Cup beating Celtic 3-1 on aggregate. Racing went through rough times in the 1990s where the club were declared bankrupt in 1998 before abruptly reforming. The club’s reformation in the 21st century has brought more silverware having won 3 league titles including successful campaigns in 2014 and 2019. After winning the 2022 Argentine League Cup, it seems that Racing are back to their best once again.
3: Independiente (25 trophies)
When it comes to cup competitions, few are harder to beat than Independiente. The Avellaneda side have proven throughout the decades that they are able to soak up pressure and deliver when it counts the most. Proof of this comes in the 7 Copa Libertadores titles that the club boast to their name. After winning back to back continental cups in 1964 and 1965, El Rojo would go on to win South America’s top club competition 4 consecutive times from 1972-1975. They did this beating regional powerhouses such as Colo and Sao Paulo. They would beat Gremio in 1984 to win their seventh title – a feat that no side has yet to match or exceed. On top of that, Independiente won two Copa Sudamericana trophies in 2014 and 2017 showing that they still have the tools necessary to deliver on the big stage. Throw in no less than 16 Primera Division titles and you have a recipe for a truly successful club at all levels.
2: River Plate (51 titles)
One of Argentina’s biggest sides, no club can match the domestic success that River Plate has enjoyed down the years. There have been eras where River have been unstoppable and they proved this both in the 1950s and 1990s. They would win 5 league titles in the 1950s from 1952-1957. This success was repeated in the 1990s 8 titles including 6 Apertura during that time. The success has also been replicated in the Copa Libertadores too with 4 wins ranging from 1986-2018. Their 1986 success was boosted further when they even won the Intercontinental Cup defeating Steaua Bucharest 1-0 to win the ultimate club prize in football. With no less than 37 domestic league titles, River Plate are the most successful side in the league and always remain as one of the teams to beat in Argentine football.
1: Boca Juniors (72 titles)
When you think of Argentine clubs, Boca Juniors is always the first to spring into mind. And there’s good reason for this as Boca have won almost everything there is to win in their illustrious history. This comes through a combination of multiple league wins as well as huge success in continental competitions. Domestically, Boca’s success has come more recently having won 50% of Primera Division titles in the 21st century. After winning the 2022 Primera Division title, Boca has won 35 titles placing them second in the list behind arch-rivals River. However, Boca have also been a true force to be reckoned with having won no less than 6 Copa Libertadores titles. After winning back to back trophies in 1977 and 1978, they would then pick up 4 wins in the 2000s defeating the likes of Santos and Gremio. They are also the most successful Argentine side in the Intercontinental Cup having won it on 3 separate occasions. After beating Borussia Monchengladbach in 1977, they would defeat European giants Real Madrid and AC Milan in 2000 and 2003 respectively to add even more silverware to their cabinet. With an endless list of trophies from down the decades, Boca Juniors have proven themselves to be not just one of Buenos Aires’ most successful sides but one of the most successful teams anywhere on the planet.
