Club Bolívar
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| Full name | Club Bolívar | ||
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| Nickname(s) | La Academia (The Academy) El Rey de Copas (The King of Cups) El Más Grande (The Biggest One) | ||
| Founded | April 12, 1925; 95 years ago | ||
| Ground | Estadio Libertador Simón Bolívar Estadio Hernando Siles La Paz, Bolivia | ||
| Capacity | 42,000 | ||
| Owner | City Football Group | ||
| Chairman | Guido Loayza (Leadership) Marcelo Claure (Baisa S.R.L.) | ||
| Coach | Antônio Carlos Zago | ||
| League | División Profesional | ||
| 2021 | 4th | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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Club Bolívar (Spanish pronunciation: [kluβ boˈliβaɾ]) is a Bolivian football club, founded in La Paz on 12 April 1925. A group of young people created the sports club “Club Atlético Bolívar” in honor of Simón Bolívar. It is the most successful and popular club in the history of the Bolivian Primera División. The club was founded with the light blue color, which distinguishes the club to this day.
The institution has its own home stadium, called Estadio Libertador Simón Bolívar (5,000 capacity) located in the Tembladerani neighborhood of the city of La Paz. This sports complex is only used for training sessions and friendly matches since for official matches the club plays at the Estadio Hernando Siles, a venue that has a capacity for 41,143 people.
Bolívar began playing the amateur era two years after its foundation, in 1927, where he became runner-up, and it was in the 1932 tournament that Club Bolívar won the championship for the first time in its history. His second amateur title was obtained in 1937. Consecutively was consecrated champion in the years of 1939, 1940, 1941, and 1942, becoming the second team to achieve a four-time championship. In this way, from 1927 to 1949 the club obtained a total of 6 amateur titles.
In the professional era, the club was the first team to win the first tournament of the Bolivian Primera División in 1950. From that year to the present, Club Bolívar would become the top winner in Bolivian soccer, winning a total of 29 official titles. No Bolivian team has ever come even close to this success. According to International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) statistics, Club Bolívar is the best Bolivian soccer team of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century.
At an international level, Club Bolívar is statistically the club that has best represented Bolivia in international cups.[1] The Bolivian club is in the 12th position in the Historical table of the Copa Libertadores, it participated 34 times in this tournament, being in this way the seventh team at the South American level with the most participation in the entire continent and also Bolívar is the eleventh team with most victories in the history of the Copa Libertadores de América, 92 in total. Among his 34 appearances in the Copa Libertadores, his best performances were in the 1986 and 2014 editions when he became a semi-finalist in these tournaments.
Although the club could not become a finalist in the Copa Libertadores, it did play an international final in 2004, where it was runner-up in that year's Copa Sudamericana. There are 10 participations of the Bolivian team in this tournament.
Among the best players in Bolivar's history are Marco "El Diablo" Etcheverry; Erwin "Platini" Sanchez; Julio Baldivieso; Mario Rojas; Carlos Borja; Vladimir Soria; Carlos Angel Lopez, Ramiro Blacut, Víctor Ugarte, Carlos Aragones, Ramiro Castillo, Juan Miguel "Juanmi" Callejon, Walter Flores, Juan Carlos Arce and many more.
History[]
Foundation[]
Until well into the eighties of the last century there was controversy regarding the date of creation of the institution. The year 1927 was considered accurate until it became clear that it had been founded in 1925, the year of the country's centenary.
The club was born on April 12, 1925 to the warmth of a friendship and the enthusiasm of a group of friends who, with the idea of forming a social club whose objective was to practice sport, especially soccer, met in a modest house colonial center of La Paz, specifically on Junín street, between Catacora and Sucre streets, less than two blocks from Plaza Murillo, where it was decided to create this with an unusual name, Bolívar, contrary to the usual names of Bolivian teams since then, most of them baptized with names in English. Names such as Franz Tamayo or Antonio José de Sucre were thought of. But in homage to the Liberator Simón Bolívar, he decided for Bolívar.
Despite the fact that the founders had as a dominant passion the practice of soccer, as was the style at the time, they added the cultural ingredient with the additional denominative of "musical literary club", that is, the club was originally founded with the name of "Club Atlético Literario Musical Bolívar" which was soon diluted by the strength of the soccer team and its distinctive achievements, being reduced only to Club Bolívar.
Don Humberto Bonifacio was in charge of the club's management on a provisional basis, until the first president was elected by a democratic election Carlos Terán, who was accompanied by Ernesto Sainz, Héctor Salcedo, Rafael Navarro, and Felipe Gutiérrez. All of them met on weekends in the north of La Paz to play soccer.
Amateur Age[]
In 1927, two years after its founding, the Club Bolívar officially enrolled in La Paz Fútbol Asociation, Bolívar for the first time participated in an official championship, which was played on the Miraflores court where he was runner-up.
The first team that disputed the 1927 championship in which, as a debutant, they achieved the runner-up behind Nimbles Sport was made up of a stable team that was made up of Walter Miranda, Enrique Tellería, Felipe Gutiérrez Nieto, Víctor Leclere, Carlos Terán, Germán Garnica , Roberto Segaline, Miguel Carreón, Luis Ernesto Sanz, being his captain Humberto Barreda. Alfredo Molina, Roberto Gómez and Carlos Álvarez were incorporated a year later.
His first international friendly match was played on June 3, 1927 when he faced Coquimbo Unido of Chile in La Paz, he was defeated by 2 to 1.
In 1928 the celestial team occupies fifth place in the table of placements.
In the official tournament in 1929, the Bolívar club achieved third place.
On May 11, 1930, the official championship begins and ends on July 30 at the main stadium Estadio Hernando Siles, obtaining the runner-up for the Bolívar club with seven units.
In 1931 the tournament was fulfilled with poor performances by the teams that did not have good lower divisions, limiting the championship to only four teams. That same year, on July 8, Club Bolívar obtained its first international victory against Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta, which it defeated 2 to 1 in La Paz.
A fundamental event in this first part of the club's history occurred in 1932 when Bolívar achieved the first championship in its history played in two series. The soccer leader of that Bolívar was one of the great players in history, Mario Alborta, center forward, and captain of the sky and of the Bolivian team. The contest began on May 26, having to be suspended due to the events of the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay on September 25. "La Paz Fútbol Asociation", established that the location and score of the moment were recognized in the final table. For this reason, Club Bolívar was declared champion of that year. The runner-up was The Strongest, who from that year on would be the most important rival of the Bolivaristas.
In the following two years, 1933 and 1934, the tournaments were suspended until the end of the war event facing the country.
After the war, the championship was restarted a year later, in 1935.
The team was champion for the second time in 1937.
Bolívar was runner-up in 1938, a champion for four consecutive years between 1939 and 1942, achieving the four-time championship. That team was led by players Walter Saavedra, Rojas, Romero, Plaza, Gutiérrez, and Garzón. It was also runner-up in 1943 and 1945.
1947 is an important year for Bolívar and for Bolivian football, since the debut with the blue jersey of Víctor Agustín Ugarte, the Tupiceño who came to La Paz to test himself and from the first day, showed his quality. Bolívar made his debut against Ferroviario and that same year he debuted his talent in the Bolivian national team. Ugarte is for those who saw him play, the undisputed best Bolivian player in history. Between right-wing in the old 2-3-5 scheme, he was progressively lagging behind to manage the team.
Modern age and rise[]
The late 20th century and early 21rst century where when Bolivar rose to its peak, becoming the most successful club in Bolivia since the foundation of the Bolivian Primera División, in 1977 winning approximately 29 titles. It was also when its rivalry with club The Strongest peaked with the disappearance of Club Universitario of La Paz.
Mario Mercado[]
Mario Mercado, president of Bolivar, worked for years in the hopes of someday taking Bolivar to win a Copa Libertadores. He passed away when his private jet, taking him to see the team, crashed in Oruro.
Mauro Cuellar and BAISA[]
In the early 2000s, assumed presidency of Bolivar. During Cuellar's administration, Bolivar reached the finals of the 2004 Copa Sudamericana, losing the final to Club Boca Juniors. However despite the sporting achievements of Bolivar, the club fell into a deep financial crisis, nearly disappearing until Bolivian millionaire Marcelo Claure took over the club, in 2008. Through BAISA, a subsidiary company of Marcelo Claure, Bolivar today has a project to win the Copa Libertadores, and aims to have a full stadium and training centre by its 100th anniversary.
BAISA owns the right to operate Club Bolivar for twenty years.[2] In 2014, the team reached the semi final of the Copa Libertadores in South American.[3] In 2021, Club Bolivar announced becoming the first Partner Club of City Football Group.[4] Also in January 2021, Club Bolivar's Plan Centenario was announced, which is a five-year plan to construct a soccer academy and open the club's ownership to fans.[5]
Kit[]
Colors[]
Bolivar's traditional home colors are light blue, traditional away colors are dark blue or white.
| Year | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 1978-1982 | Adidas |
| 1983-1989 | Penalty |
| 1990 | Topper |
| 1991-1994 | El Palacio de las Gorras |
| 1994-1997 | Penalty |
| 1998 | Nike |
| 1999 | Gav Sport |
| 2000-2002 | Puma |
| 2003-2006 | Adidas |
| 2006-2009 | Umbro |
| 2010-2011 | Marca Propia |
| 2011-2013 | Admiral Sportswear |
| 2014-2016 | Marathon Sports |
| 2016-2021 | Joma[6] |
| 2021- | Puma |
| Year | Sponsor |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Iberia |
| 1983 | Tasca |
| 1984-87 | Banco de la Paz |
| 1988 | Paceña |
| 1989 | Parillada Caminito |
| 1990 | Duralit |
| 1991-92 | Banco de La Paz |
| 1993 | Pacena |
| 1994-95 | Entel |
| 1996 | Ultima Hora |
| 1997 | Caterpillar |
| 1998-2000 | Taquiña |
| 2001-07 | Coca-Cola |
| 2008-09 | Entel |
| 2010-14 | Samsung |
| 2015-16 | Huawei |
| 2017-19 | Samsung |
| 2019- | Chevrolet |
Rivalry[]
Bolivar's classic rival is The Strongest. Both teams are from La Paz.
- Total matches: 262
- Bolivar wins: 113
- Ties: 86
- The Strongest wins: 63
Honours[]
- 1978, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2004-A, 2005-AD, 2006-C, 2009-A, 2011-AD, 2013-C, 2014-A, 2015-C, 2017-A, 2017-C, 2019-A
- 1950, 1953, 1956, 1966, 1968, 1976
- Liga de Fútbol Amateur Boliviano: 6
- 1932, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942
- Copa Aerosur: 2
- 2009, 2010
- Copa Bolivia: 4
Performance in CONMEBOL competitions[]
- Copa Libertadores: 33 appearances
- Best: Semi-finals in 1986 and 2014
- Copa Sudamericana: 8 appearances
- Best: Final in 2004.
Current squad[]
- As of 27 November, 2021
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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2020 Summer transfers[]
In[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching staff[]
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Claudio Vivas
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| Assistant First Team Coach | TBA |
| Goalkeeper Coach | TBA |
| First Team Fitness Coach |  Rolando Crespo
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| Assistant First Team Fitness Coach |
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| Head Opposition Scout | TBA |
| Senior Opposition Scout | TBA |
| Medical Director |
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| Reserve Team Manager |
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| Youth Team Manager | TBA |
Notable players[]
See also Category:Club Bolívar players.
Managers[]
Wilfredo Camacho
Moises Barack
Dan Georgiadis (1962, 1965–68)- Ramiro Blacut (1979, 1983, 1988–89)
Vitaly Shevchenko (1992–94)
José Pastoriza (1994)
Antonio López Habas (1994–95)- Ramiro Blacut (1995)
- Jorge Habegger (Jan 1, 1996 – Dec 31, 1997)
- Antonio López Habas (2000–01)
- Vladimir Soria (2002–05)
- Jorge Habegger (Jan 1, 2005 – June 30, 2005)
- Carlos Aragonés (2005–06)
- Víctor Hugo Antelo (2007)
- Jorge Habegger (March 1, 2008 – Oct 9, 2008)
- Gustavo Quinteros (Jan 1, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009)
Santiago Escobar (July 19, 2009 – June 30, 2010)- Néstor Clausen (June 12, 2010 – Dec 12, 2010)
- Guillermo Hoyos (Jan 1, 2011 – May 13, 2012)
- Miguel Ángel Portugal (July 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2013)
- Xabier Azkargorta (March 9, 2014–15)
- Eduardo Villegas (2015)
- Rubén Darío Insúa (Jan 1, 2016 – April 16)
- (April 2016 – May 16)
- Beñat San José (May 2016 – December 17)
Vinícius Eutrópio (January 2018 – June 2018)
Alfredo Arias (June 2018 – December 2018)- César Vigevani (December 2018 – December 2019)
- Claudio Vivas (December 2019 – October 2020)
- Wálter Flores (October 2020 – December 2020)
- Natxo González (December 2020 – present)
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Club Bolívar. |
- Club websitel
- Club Bolívar on Facebook
- Club Bolívar on Twitter
- Club Bolívar on YouTube
References[]
- ^ Vanauskas, Laura (1999). An Encyclopedia of Football in Bolivia – 1914 to 1998. The Clubs –Bolivar, details and references to formation. Heart Books – Belgium. p. 192.
- ^ [http://www.bolivar.com.bo/baisa_detalle.php?cbo=101 "Bol�var Administraci�n e Inversiones S.A. BAISA - Club Bolivar de Bolivia - la Acad�mia del Futbol Boliviano - SITIO NO OFICIAL"]. replacement character in
|title=at position 4 (help) - ^ Crow, David (7 June 2015). "Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO: Beckham's Bolivian buddy". Financial Times.
- ^ "Man City group announces tie-up with Club Bolivar". 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Plan Centenario: El ambicioso proyecto de $50 millones que busca consolidar a Bolívar en el mundo del fútbol". 12 January 2021.
- ^ "JOMA Sponsors| Club Bolívar". www.joma-sport.com.
- Club Bolívar
- Association football clubs established in 1925
- Football clubs in Bolivia
- Football clubs in La Paz
- 1925 establishments in Bolivia