Vélez Sarsfield has been crowned champions of Argentina, marking a grand celebration for the nation’s most Italian-influenced top football club. We attended one of their matches leading up to the title and were struck by the ever-present Italian colors on display.

It’s January 1, 1910. Nicolás Marín Moreno, Julio Guglielmone, and Martín Portillo walk together through the rain after a casual game of football. The new year isn’t starting well, thanks to the poor weather. Seeking shelter, they huddle in a tunnel beneath Vélez Sarsfield, one of the train stations operated by the British-owned Western Railway.

While waiting for the rain to pass, the three friends begin to philosophize. All of them are football fanatics, but the western neighborhoods of Buenos Aires have few clubs. Why not start one themselves? Choosing a name is simple: Club Atlético Argentinos Vélez Sarsfield (the word Argentinos was dropped in 1913), named after the station above them. With that decision, Buenos Aires gained another football club.

Unlike many Argentine clubs with English names—often because they were founded by Britons or employees of British companies—Vélez Sarsfield’s story is different. Its founders were of Italian descent. The station’s name may sound British, but Vélez Sarsfield’s roots are undeniably Italian.

In the years following its founding, El Fortín (The Fort) built a loyal fan base, primarily composed of Italian immigrants and their descendants. In 1916, the club decided to honor this heritage by adopting a kit inspired by the Italian flag. This tradition continued until 1933 when the club transitioned to its current iconic shirt: white with a blue “V.”

Interestingly, this change was pure coincidence. A local tailor had these shirts in stock, initially intended for a rugby team that never claimed them. Nevertheless, the Italian colors still appear in Vélez’s secondary or third kits and are often incorporated into details like sleeves or collars. Argentine clubs take immense pride in their history, and Vélez Sarsfield is no exception.

Italian Colors in Liniers

The love for the Italian tricolor is immediately apparent when you arrive in Liniers, the home of Vélez Sarsfield. The neighborhood is adorned with murals in red, white, and green, along with other nods to Italy. Here, we meet Santi, our Homefans host for today’s match against Belgrano.

Earlier in the day, we visited Nueva Chicago, a gritty club in a rough neighborhood. By contrast, Liniers feels calm and welcoming. People drink on the streets in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Dolf and I conclude that Vélez is the perfect club for newcomers to Buenos Aires—minimal hassle, no strict security, and a very safe environment.

The Estadio José Amalfitani is one of the most modern and largest stadiums in the country. It serves as the home for Argentina’s national rugby team and frequently hosts concerts. Unfortunately, this multi-use nature often leaves the pitch in poor condition. Today, it resembles the Sahara more than a pristine football field.

A Unique Matchday Experience

We have excellent seats on the second tier, offering a perfect view of Vélez’s passionate supporters and the stadium’s distinctive floodlights, which feature a giant Coca-Cola can design. Vélez Sarsfield is having a fantastic season, so the stadium is packed. Fireworks light up the sky behind the goal, and the club’s famous joker mascot is present as well.

Both teams struggle with the poor pitch conditions, but Vélez Sarsfield is clearly the best footballing side we’ve seen during this trip. The match ends 1-1, and while Vélez drops points in the following weeks, they manage to clinch the championship by defeating their direct rivals Huracán on the final matchday. After 13 years, Vélez Sarsfield is once again the champions of Argentina.