Chants of “¡Aúpa Atlético, los Colchoneros!” echo with pride every matchday. But why is Atlético Madrid nicknamed Los Colchoneros? GypsyGoal invites you on a journey into the club’s past, to discover how stripes, mattresses, and a post-war Spain fused together to birth one of football’s most colorful monikers.
The Origin of Los Colchoneros
In Spanish, colchón means “mattress.” Thus, Los Colchoneros translates roughly to “the mattress makers” or “the mattress-makers.” At first glance, that seems like a strange nickname for a fierce, red-and-white fighting club. Yet, the roots of this unusual name go deep into Madrid’s textile history and Atlético’s early kit decisions.
The Red-White Stripe Connection
One widely accepted version: in the early 20th century, mattress covers often featured red and white vertical stripes. When Atlético adopted their now-iconic red and white striped shirts, rival fans and locals began drawing a visual parallel: the club looked like a living mattress cover. Over time, that resemblance stuck, and the club – and its supporters – became collectively known as Los Colchoneros.
This is reinforced by the fact that red and white striped fabrics were common in mattress textiles of the era. The similarity between that fabric and Atlético’s kit was too obvious to ignore, and the nickname slowly morphed.
Kit Economics and Textile Industry
Another important piece: in Madrid’s early days, the textile industry was flourishing. Atlético’s founders needed kits, and the red and white striped cloth was relatively cheap and readily available—often the same type used in mattress covers. Some historians argue that the club exploited this textile surplus: parts of the same cloth used for mattresses could be repurposed into football shirts. In that sense, they literally repurposed “mattress fabric” into their identity.
These early economic and industrial conditions in Madrid helped cement the nickname. Over time, Los Colchoneros became less of a taunt and more of a proud self-identifier.
When and How the Nickname Took Hold
The nickname didn’t appear overnight. Its popularization came especially after the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). Following the war’s devastation, Spain underwent reconstruction, with renewed growth in industries including textiles. The red-and-white stripe motif held strong in Atlético’s revival, and the moniker Los Colchoneros began to be used more widely by fans, commentators, and rival supporters alike.
By the mid-20th century, the name was fully entrenched. It was no longer a mocking jibe—it was emblematic. Atlético embraced it. Songs, chants, graffiti, badges, and media coverage all began referring to the club with that nickname. Over decades, Los Colchoneros evolved into a proud identity rather than an insult.
Alternative Theories & Other Nicknames
No club’s history is without myth, and Los Colchoneros has its share of alternate explanations and companion nicknames.
The “Indios” Nickname
Indios (“Indians”) is another nickname Atlético has carried. In the 1970s, the club brought in several South American players. Rival fans used Indios as a taunt, referencing their skin color or appearance. Atlético fans later embraced it, and the club’s mascot even took on the name “Indi.” Over time, Indios became a secondary nickname, coexisting with the more famous Colchoneros.
The Riverside & Territorial Theory
Another less frequently cited idea: Atlético’s home used to be located near the Manzanares River, and some suggest that the nickname “Indios” (later attached to Colchoneros usage) drew metaphorical links between the club being “river-tribe” settlers. This is more tenuous and less supported by historical evidence.
Rojiblancos
Beyond Los Colchoneros and Indios, Atlético is often called Rojiblancos—literally “red-and-whites.” This is a widespread convention in Spanish football: clubs take on nicknames derived from their kit colors (for example, Athletic Club de Bilbao is also “Rojiblancos”). While Rojiblancos is descriptive and generic, Colchoneros is unique and evocative, and that’s why it endures as Atlético’s flagship nickname.
Why the Nickname Still Matters
Identity and Brand
Today, Los Colchoneros is more than a nickname—it’s a cornerstone of Atlético’s identity. The club’s merchandise, social media, chants, and branding embrace it. It evokes a mix of working-class roots, defiance, and tradition. To a fan, being a Colchonero is a badge of belonging and history.
Distinction, Atlético has long been perceived as the underdog. The nickname Los Colchoneros reinforces that outsider ethos. It’s not about elegance or supremacy—it’s about grit, community, and resilience. When Atlético face their great rivals, they carry their unique moniker like armor.
Cultural Legacy and Memory
Every chant, every banner, every documentary about Atlético mentions Los Colchoneros. Future generations of fans hear that name before they know squads or trophies. In this sense, the nickname helps preserve the club’s heritage, weaving a thread between past and present.
Top 5 Facts About Los Colchoneros
Red and white stripes = mattress fabric
The visual parallel between Atlético’s kit and mattress covers in early 1900s Madrid is central to the nickname.
Post-war amplification
After the Spanish Civil War, the nickname gained traction and widespread acceptance among fans and media.
Industrial roots
Some of Atlético’s early kits may have been made from surplus mattress-textile fabric, strengthening the connection.
Embraced by the club
What may have begun as a taunt transformed into a celebrated identity, used by Atlético itself in branding and storytelling.
Sibling nicknames
Atlético also carries Indios and Rojiblancos, but Los Colchoneros remains the most iconic and evocative.
Conclusion
Los Colchoneros is more than a quirky nickname—it’s a story. A story born of striped mattresses, Madrid’s textile boom, post-war reconstruction, and a club forging identity in the shadow of giants. Why is Atlético Madrid nicknamed Los Colchoneros? Because the stripes, the cloth, the streets, and the people converged to give them that title—one they wear with pride to this day. Now that you know the origin, carry it into every match, chant it with conviction, and share it with fellow fans. GypsyGoal welcomes you deeper into Atlético’s soul—keep exploring, keep cheering, and never stop asking: why is Atlético Madrid nicknamed Los Colchoneros?
