Foundation: 1901-20
River Plate was founded on May 25 1901 and after a few years of unofficial matches, in 1905, River Plate played their first official game in 1905. Only three years after this in 1908 their reached promotion to the First Division. In their first season in the top flight their were runners up, this made the club already very popular amongst other strong teams like Alumni Athletic Club.
Champions and change: 1920-30
River Plate won their first title in 1920. 3 years later they would move into a bigger stadium and also the birth of a nickname that would stay ‘Los Millonarios’ The Millionaires due to their financial strength and big spending.
Professionalism and big spending: 1931-40
In 1931 Argentine football had turned professional and with this River Plate made two huge signings of Carlos Peucell for a record fee and Bernabé Ferreyra also costing a substantial fee. Though the signings cost a lot of money River Plate won league titles in 1932, 1936 and 1937. This was also the start of the teams stadium being built called ‘Estadio Monumental’ still one of the largest and famous venues today.
the golden age: 1941-57
The 1940’s for River Plate was considered one of the greatest teams in South American History. They had many legendary attacking players: Juan Carlos Muñoz, José Manuel Moreno, Adolfo Pedernera, Ángel Labruna and Félix Loustau. They won titles in 1941, 1942 1945, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1957. One of the most dominating forces in Argentine football. This era also produced some of the best players of their generation of Ángel Labruna, Amadeo Carrizo and one of the best players ever Alfredo Di Stéfano.
crisis and resurrection: 1958-85
After their title in 1957 the team didn’t win another league title until 1975. Though having a decade drought their still produced some star players such as Norberto Alonso, Daniel Passarella and Ubaldo Fillol.
Though in 1975 they won the league and after that more league titles followed, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1981.
Continental success: 1986-90
In 1986, River plate won the title but unlike before they also won the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup, winning against Romanian team Steaua Bucuresti.
the Ramón Díaz era: 1991-2000
Former player Ramón Díaz took over as manager and produced many titles, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2000. They also won the Copa Libertadores in 1996 with key players like Enzo Francescoli, Ariel Ortega and Hernán Crespo.
They also produced more talents including, Javier Saviola, Pablo Aimar and Javier Mascherano.
Overview
River Plate are one the best teams in Argentinian and South American history with loads of titles in Argentina and multiple Copa Libertadores winners. They also have produced some of the best players of their time including Alfredo Di Stéfano, Hernán Crespo, Enzo Francescoli and so many more.
