Newell's Old Boys

Newell's Old Boys, founded on November 3, 1903, in Rosario, Santa Fe, is one of Argentina's most historic football clubs. The name honors Isaac Newell, an English teacher who brought football to the region. The club's early years were shaped by the Liga Rosarina de Football, and it officially joined the Argentine Football Association in 1939. Newell's has won six Primera División titles and three national cups, and reached the Copa Libertadores final twice, in 1988 and 1992.

The team plays at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, a 42,000-seat venue renamed in 2009 after the legendary manager who led the club to two league titles. The Rosario derby against Rosario Central is one of Argentina's fiercest rivalries, known for its intense atmosphere and deep-rooted history. Fans, called La Lepra, are known for their passionate displays, especially during derby matches.

Newell's youth academy is among the world's most productive, having developed Lionel Messi, Gabriel Batistuta, Éver Banega, and Walter Samuel. Messi trained at the club's youth system before moving to Barcelona at age 13. The club also fields teams in basketball, field hockey, futsal, and other sports, making it a multi-sport institution in Rosario.[edit]

Newell's Old Boys was founded by former students of the Colegio Comercial Anglicano Argentino, an English school run by the Newell family. The club quickly became a force in Rosario football, winning its first league title in the Metropolitano 1974. The golden era came under Marcelo Bielsa between 1987 and 1992, when the club won the 1987-88 Nacional, the 1990-91 championship, and the 1992 Clausura, and reached two Copa Libertadores finals. Bielsa's high-pressing style became a hallmark of the club's identity.

After a decade without titles, Newell's won the 2004 Apertura under manager Américo Gallego. The club's most recent league title came in the 2013 Final, coached by Gerardo Martino, who later managed Barcelona and the Argentine national team. In recent years, Newell's has struggled for consistency, finishing 11th in the 2024 Liga Profesional. Despite this, the club remains a competitive force in Argentine football, with a strong academy that continues to produce top talent.

Notable international runs include the 1988 Copa Libertadores final, where they lost to Nacional of Uruguay, and the 1992 final, where they fell to São Paulo. The club also won the Copa de la República in 1949, adding to its domestic cup successes.[edit]