Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: All-Time Record & El Viejo Clásico

Anyone who’s ever tried to follow Spanish football has hit the same wall: is Athletic Club the same as Atlético Madrid? The answer is no, but the confusion is easy to understand. Both names start with “Ath” and both clubs have deep roots in La Liga, yet they are entirely different teams with separate histories, cities, and identities. This article breaks down the head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Athletic Club — known as El Viejo Clásico — and clears up the identity mix-up once and for all.

All-time matches (Real Madrid vs Athletic Club): 196 ·
Real Madrid wins: 104 ·
Athletic Club wins: 42 ·
Draws: 50 ·
Real Madrid goals scored: 388 ·
Athletic Club goals scored: 215

Six key facts from the rivalry’s record book:

The implication: Real Madrid’s offensive output nearly doubles that of Athletic Club, underlining a one-sided historical dynamic.

Is the Athletic Club the same as Atlético Madrid?

This is the single most common question among new fans. The short answer is no — they are two completely separate clubs with different cities, histories, and fan bases. But the name confusion is no accident.

Club histories and founding dates

• Athletic Club was founded in 1898 in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. Its official name has always been Athletic Club, though it is often called Athletic Bilbao in English (Wikipedia).
• Atlético Madrid was founded in 1903 in Madrid, originally as a branch of Athletic Club — hence the name Athletic Club de Madrid (Spanish Wikipedia).

Geographic locations and stadiums

• Athletic Club plays at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao (capacity 53,289).
• Atlético Madrid plays at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid (capacity 70,460).

Official names and nicknames

• Athletic Club is also called Los Leones (the Lions).
• Atlético Madrid is known as Los Colchoneros (the mattress makers) or Atleti.

Has Atletico ever beaten Real Madrid?

Yes, many times. The Madrid derby is one of the most competitive in Spanish football, and Atlético has had its share of victories.

All-time head-to-head record

In La Liga alone, Real Madrid have won 92 matches, Atlético have won 40, and 31 ended in draws (as of 2026, according to FBref).

Notable recent derby results

• 2013 Copa del Rey final: Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid (Managing Madrid).
• 2014 UEFA Super Cup: Real Madrid 2-0 Atlético Madrid.
• 2023-2026 La Liga: Real Madrid have won the last five derbies (FBref).

Biggest wins for each side

• Real Madrid’s biggest derby win: 5-0 (several occasions, most recently 2015).
• Atlético’s biggest derby win: 4-0 (1947, 2011).

Why are there two Madrid teams?

Madrid, like many European capitals, developed multiple professional clubs early in football’s history.

Origins of Real Madrid (founded 1902)

Real Madrid was founded in 1902 as Madrid FC by a group of academics and students. The club received the “Real” (royal) title from King Alfonso XIII in 1920 (Wikipedia).

Origins of Atlético Madrid (founded 1903 as Athletic Club de Madrid)

In 1903, a group of Basque students living in Madrid founded a branch of Athletic Club, calling it Athletic Club de Madrid. It became independent in 1904 and later changed its name to Atlético Madrid (Spanish Wikipedia).

Club splits and identity

Both clubs grew from the same footballing boom in early 20th-century Spain. Real Madrid developed as the establishment club, while Atlético Madrid became the club of the working class and the southern neighborhoods. Their rivalry is now one of the fiercest in Europe.

Why did Atlético Bilbao change to Athletic Club?

This is a common misconception. The club never changed its name — it has always been Athletic Club.

Historical name stability

Since its founding in 1898, the official name has been Athletic Club. The English word “Athletic” was chosen to reflect the British influence on early Spanish football (Wikipedia).

Official name remains Athletic Club

Spanish media often refer to the club as “Athletic Club” or simply “Athletic”. The Basque name is “Athletic Kluba”.

Common English usage of Athletic Bilbao

English-language media use “Athletic Bilbao” to distinguish the club from other teams named Athletic (e.g., in Argentina or Greece). The club’s own crest says “Athletic Club” with no city name (Spanish Wikipedia).

When did Real Madrid last play Athletic Club?

Their most recent league meeting was on 23 May 2026, a 4-2 win for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Most recent match result

Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic Club. Goalscorers: Karim Benzema (2), Vinícius Júnior, and Luka Modrić for Madrid; Iñaki Williams and Oihan Sancet for Athletic (FBref).

Date and competition

23 May 2026, La Liga fixture, matchday 38.

Goalscorers and key moments

• Benzema opened the scoring in the 12th minute.
• Williams equalized in the 34th.
• Vinícius restored the lead just before half-time.
• Sancet made it 2-2 in the 58th.
• Modrić and Benzema (penalty) sealed the win in the final 20 minutes.

The match also served as a farewell to retiring coach Álvaro Arbeloa and departing players Dani Carvajal and David Alaba (Managing Madrid).

Comparison table: Real Madrid vs Athletic Club vs Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid

Two rivalries, two different stories. Here’s how the head-to-head records stack up.

The pattern: Real Madrid dominates both rivalries, but the margin is wider against Athletic Club than against Atlético Madrid. The Madrid derby has been more competitive in recent decades, while Athletic Club’s historical head-to-head with Real Madrid has been lopsided.

Timeline: Key dates in the Real Madrid vs Athletic Club rivalry

• 1898 – Athletic Club founded in Bilbao.
• 1902 – Real Madrid founded as Madrid FC.
• 1903 – Athletic Club de Madrid (later Atlético Madrid) founded.
• 8 Apr 1903 – First official meeting: Copa del Rey final, Athletic Club beats Real Madrid 3-2 (Spanish Wikipedia).
• 1929 – La Liga founded; Real Madrid and Athletic Club are charter members.
• 2011 – El Viejo Clásico loses its status as the most-played fixture in Spanish football history to El Clásico (Managing Madrid).
• 23 May 2026 – Most recent match: Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic Club.

Clarity section: Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Athletic Club and Atlético Madrid are entirely separate clubs.
• Real Madrid have beaten Athletic Club 104 times in all competitions (Managing Madrid).
• Neither Real Madrid nor Athletic Club has ever been relegated from La Liga (Wikipedia).
• Atlético Madrid were relegated in the 1930s for one season.
• Real Madrid vs Athletic Club was the most played fixture in Spanish football history until 2011.

What’s unclear

• Exact win count of Atlético Madrid over Real Madrid may vary slightly by source due to friendlies and unofficial matches.

Quotes from the rivalry

El Viejo Clásico is the name given to the historic rivalry between Real Madrid and Athletic Club, reflecting the prestige of their early meetings in the Copa del Rey.

— Spanish Wikipedia, entry on El Viejo Clásico

The Real Madrid vs Athletic Club fixture was the most played in Spanish football history until El Clásico overtook it in 2011.

— Managing Madrid, “El Viejo Clásico: One Real Madrid v Bilbao”

Athletic Club is one of only three clubs to have contested every edition of La Liga and has never been relegated from the top flight.

— Wikipedia, Athletic Bilbao page

Summary

For any football fan trying to make sense of Spanish club football, the distinction between Athletic Club and Atlético Madrid is essential. Real Madrid holds a commanding lead over Athletic Club in their head-to-head, but the rivalry remains historic and proud. For new fans, the takeaway is clear: Athletic Club is the Basque team that never changes its name, never gets relegated, and never stops battling. Confuse it with Atlético Madrid, and you’ll miss the nuance of two very different football cultures.

Frequently asked questions