The Rich History of Retro Mallorca Jersey Mallorca, a Spanish football club officially known as Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, S.A.D., has a rich and colourful history that dates back to its inception in 1916. The club’s home is the island of Mallorca, where the team is affectionately known as ‘Los Bermellones’ (The Vermilions) due to […]
Mallorca, a Spanish football club officially known as Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, S.A.D., has a rich and colourful history that dates back to its inception in 1916. The club’s home is the island of Mallorca, where the team is affectionately known as ‘Los Bermellones’ (The Vermilions) due to their iconic kit colours. Over the years, Mallorca has had some notable successes both domestically and in Europe, boasting numerous star players who have donned the famous Retro Mallorca jersey.
Real Mallorca was founded on 5th March 1916, by Adolfo Vázquez Humasqué, a national of the island. The club’s first president was D. Gaspar Reynés, and its first match was played over a hundred years ago against FC Barcelona. Throughout their storied history, the club has experienced several ups and downs, with some periods filled with success, while others saw the team relegated to lower divisions.
The team’s home ground is the Estadi de Son Moix, built in 1999, with the purpose of hosting the 1999 Summer Universiade competitions. The stadium, with a capacity of 23,142, has been Mallorca’s fortress since then and was renamed Iberostar Stadium between 2010 and 2017 due to a sponsorship agreement. Before moving to Son Moix, the club had called the Estadio Lluís Sitjar its home for 47 years.
Mallorca’s iconic jersey colours – red and black vertical stripes – have been with the team since their early years, making them stand out from other teams in Spain. These colours have given them their nickname, ‘Los Bermellones’. Though the jersey’s design has changed slightly over the years, the core identity of the shirt, with its vibrant red stripes against a bold black background, has remained consistent, symbolizing the passion and determination the club’s players have displayed on the pitch.
The Retro Mallorca jersey’s rich history has seen the team not only sporting their local colours, but also their sponsor’s logo – initially featured prominently on the front of the shirt. Over the years, major companies such as Teka, Kelme, and Reial have partnered with the club, each leaving their mark on the Retro Mallorca jersey.
Mallorca’s most successful period in its history began in 1997, under the management of Héctor Cúper, with the arrival of some notable players like Samuel Eto’o and Walter Pandiani, who formed a lethal strike partnership. The team built a strong squad that was competitive in both domestic and European competitions. This golden era lasted until the early 2000s.
During this time, Mallorca consistently finished in the upper half of La Liga, qualified for European competitions, and won the Copa del Rey in 2003. It was during these years that the Retro Mallorca jersey saw some of its most glorious moments, such as reaching the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final in 1999, where they lost to Lazio, and the UEFA Cup Final in 2002/2003, where they faced a strong CSKA Moscow but were defeated.
Throughout its history, Real Mallorca has been blessed with the presence of some legendary footballers who have left an indelible mark on the club’s history while wearing the Retro Mallorca jersey. Some of these notable figures include:
1. Samuel Eto’o: The Cameroonian striker first arrived at Mallorca on loan in 2000 and later signed permanently for the club. He scored 54 league goals in 133 appearances, becoming Mallorca’s all-time top scorer.
2. Daniel Carnevali: As one of Mallorca’s greatest goalkeepers, Carnevali played for the club during the late 70s and early 80s. His heroics led the team back to the top division of Spanish football in 1983.
3. Sergio ‘Koke’ Contreras: A skilful and creative midfielder, Koke was part of Mallorca’s successful team of the late 90s and early 2000s. He played over 200 matches for the club and scored 20 goals.
4. Walter Pandiani: Known as ‘The Rifle’, Pandiani was another key player during the Cúper era, scoring important goals in domestic and European competitions. He was a fan favourite and remains fondly remembered.
5. Ivan Campo: The versatile midfielder spent three seasons at Mallorca and was among one of the brightest stars in the team.
The Retro Mallorca jersey, synonymous with their vibrant red and black stripes, encapsulates the rich history of the club, from its origins in the early 20th century to its meteoric rise to prominence under Héctor Cúper. As new generations of fans come to appreciate the club, the Retro Mallorca jersey continues to symbolize the passion, dedication, and pride of an island that has produced a football club with a storied history and bright future.
