Club Atlético Platense, an Argentine club from the Saavedra neighborhood in Buenos Aires, has a rich history despite difficult decades. Founded in 1905, el Calamar (the Squid) plays their matches at the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López. Los Marrón (brown) experienced their golden age in the 1960s-70s, finishing vice-champions of Argentina several times and participating in South American competitions.
Platense has won several lower division championships but never captured the first division title. The club spent many years in lower divisions before returning to Argentine first division in 2021. This comeback symbolizes the resilience of a centenary institution of Argentine football that refuses to disappear despite difficulties.
El Calamar maintains rivalries with Buenos Aires clubs. Platense represents the pride of a popular neighborhood of the Argentine capital and retains a loyal supporter base attached to the club's glorious history. Los Marrón work to maintain themselves in the elite and return to the heights reached in the 1960s-70s.
FAQ
Platense plays their matches at the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López, with a capacity of 29,208 seats in Vicente López (Buenos Aires suburb). This stadium, inaugurated in 1979, is shared with several other clubs. Platense projects to build their own stadium in the Saavedra neighborhood, their historic birthplace.
Founded on May 25, 1905, Platense experienced their golden age in the 1960s-70s, finishing Argentine vice-champion in 1964 and 1965. After this successful period, the club experienced a long descent to hell, hitting bottom in National B. The return to first division in 2021 marks a renaissance for this centenary institution.
Platense has never won the Argentine championship but finished vice-champion in 1964 and 1965. The club counts several lower division titles and participated in South American competitions in the 1970s. The promotion to first division in 2021 constitutes a major success after years of struggle.
Several players marked the 1960s-70s golden age, notably during the vice-championships. More recently, players who contributed to the return to first division became local heroes. The club also trained some Argentine internationals during its successful period.
'El Calamar' (the Squid) refers to the club's logo representing a squid, a marine animal linked to the Saavedra neighborhood close to the Río de la Plata. They're also called 'Los Marrón' (the Browns) in reference to the kit's distinctive color, or 'El Marrón de Saavedra'. These unique nicknames distinguish Platense.
After the 1960s-70s golden age, Platense experienced financial and sporting difficulties, leading to several successive relegations. The club hit bottom by descending to third division (Primera B Metropolitana). This fall illustrates the difficulty for neighborhood clubs to survive against Argentine giants.
In 2021, Platense won the Primera Nacional (second division), securing promotion to first division after 22 years of absence. This comeback, fruit of years of efforts and restructuring, triggered massive celebrations. El Calamar's return to the Argentine elite moved all Argentine football.
Platense maintains neighborhood rivalries with other Buenos Aires clubs. Though less publicized than big Argentine clasicos, these local confrontations captivate supporters. The club proudly represents the Saavedra neighborhood against other capital neighborhoods.
Despite difficult years, Platense retains a loyal and passionate supporter base. Matches at Ciudad de Vicente López offer a family but engaged atmosphere. The return to first division has revived enthusiasm and attracted new supporters. Los Marrón create a warm ambiance typical of Argentine neighborhood clubs.
Platense aims to maintain itself permanently in Argentine first division and stabilize in the elite. The club aspires to progressively rebuild and eventually return to the 1960s-70s level. Building their own stadium in Saavedra remains an important objective. El Calamar works to honor their centenary history.
