1983 Copa Libertadores Final vs Peñarol

Lore & Background

Peñarol's name comes from the Peñarol neighborhood on the outskirts of Montevideo, which itself takes its name from Pinerolo, a town in the metropolitan area of Turin, Italy. The club's origin dates back to 28 September 1891, when it was established as the Central Uruguay Railway Cricket Club (CURCC) by mostly British railway workers. The continuity between CURCC and Peñarol is controversial; legally they are separate institutions, as CURCC continued until its dissolution on 22 January 1915, though the Uruguayan Football Association has recognized Peñarol as the continuity of CURCC since 1914.

Reader's Guide

Peñarol currently host their matches at the 40,000-capacity Estadio Campeón del Siglo since 2016, having previously played at Estadio Centenario since 1933. The club has never been relegated. Its main focus is men's football, but it also participates in athletics, basketball, cycling, futsal, rugby union, and women's football. The club's colors are yellow and black, inspired by the Stephenson's Rocket and the railway workers' union.

Did You Know?

• Peñarol was recognized as the best South American club of the 20th century by the IFFHS in September 2009.
• The club's first president was Frank Henderson, who remained in that position until 1899.
• Peñarol's first game as CURCC was a 2–0 victory against a team of students from the English high school in 1892.
• The club's first non-British captain was Uruguayan Julio Negrón, chosen in 1895.