Athletic Club, based in Bilbao in the Basque Country of Spain, is a unique and legendary institution in La Liga. The team plays at the magnificent new San Mamés stadium. Founded in 1898, the club is famous for its *cantera* policy, fielding only players of Basque origin. This philosophy has created an unbreakable bond with the local community and fans. Their colours are red and white stripes. While they have not won La Liga since 1984, Athletic are consistently competitive and have won the Copa del Rey 23 times, most recently in 2024. The club's identity is its greatest strength, fostering incredible loyalty and a distinct, intense style of play. Under managers like Ernesto Valverde, they continue to challenge for honours, proving tradition and top-level success can coexist.