Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, S.A.D. (Spanish: [reˈal ˈkluβ ðepoɾˈtiβo maˈʎoɾka], Catalan: Reial Club Deportiu Mallorca [rəˈjal ˈklub dəpuɾˈtiw məˈʎɔɾkə], Royal Sporting Club Mallorca), commonly known as Real Mallorca or RCD Mallorca, is a Spanish professional football club based in Palma on the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, they currently compete in La Liga, holding home games at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix with a 23,142-seat capacity.

Quick Facts Full name, Nickname(s) ...
Mallorca
Thumb
Full nameReal Club Deportivo Mallorca, S.A.D.
Nickname(s)Los Piratas (The Pirates)
Los Bermellones (The Vermilions)
Els Barralets (The Barralet)
Founded5 March 1916; 108 years ago (1916-03-05) as Alfonso XIII Foot-Ball Club
GroundEstadi Mallorca Son Moix
Capacity25,800
OwnerAndy Kohlberg (majority)
Steve Nash (minority)
Steve Kerr (minority)
Stu Holden (minority)
PresidentAndy Kohlberg
Head coachJagoba Arrasate
LeagueLa Liga
2023–24La Liga, 15th of 20
Websitercdmallorca.es
Current season
Close

The club had its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reaching a best-ever third place in La Liga in 1999 and 2001 and winning the Copa del Rey in 2003 following final defeats in 1991, 1998 and 2024. Mallorca also won the 1998 Supercopa de España[1] and reached the 1999 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final.

Mallorca traditionally play in red shirts with black shorts and socks.

History

The early years

Founded on 5 March 1916, what would later become RCD Mallorca was registered at the Spanish Football Federation under the name of Alfonso XIII Foot-Ball Club.

Weeks after its establishment, the club wasted little time forming the directors of Alfonso XIII FBC, headed by engineer Adolfo Vázquez Humasqué and eight other football fans. Their first stadium, the Buenos Aires field, was inaugurated with a competitive fixture against FC Barcelona just 20 days after registering further fast-tracked development. Despite the fixture ending in a disappointing 8–0 defeat, it was not long before King Alfonso XIII himself requested the royal adoption of ‘Real’ in the team's title, therefore becoming Real Sociedad Alfonso XIII Foot-Ball Club.

RCD Mallorca first match on 25 March 1916 against FC Barcelona reserve team.
Founding charter of Alfonso XIII Football Club in 1916.

In 1917, the Catalan Federation granted Real Sociedad Alfonso XIII admission into the second-tier league championship as an unofficial champion of the Balearic Islands. Booking a place in the final, Los Bermellones went on to record their first title with a resounding 3–1 victory over Futbol Club Palafrugell, in Barcelona.

Until the 1930s, the board of directors managed to organise fixtures against peninsular clubs such as RCD Espanyol and Real Murcia, while also hosting rare exhibitions against foreign sides including: Ajax in 1923, Uruguay's national team in 1925, Chilean outfit Colo-Colo in 1927 and one of the Czech Republic's oldest teams, Prague Meteor, in 1930, the latter under coach Jack Greenwell, and with Antolín Arnau, Felipe Ferrer, and Pedro Pizá among its players.[2]

In 1931, following the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic which prohibited any form of reference to monarchy, the club was renamed to Club Deportivo Mallorca.

Although major fixtures and competitions across Spain were soon interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War in 1936, the squad enjoyed a highly successful spell by winning every possible championship they entered into, as football on the island remained resistant to the deferral experienced throughout the country. When the war finally ended, matches with teams from the Peninsula were quick to resume and the Second Division was inaugurated, based on five groups of eight teams each.

It was during a period in the Second Division that, on 22 September 1945, the time had come to wave goodbye to Buenos Aires Field and up sticks to Es Fortí, a 16,000-maximum capacity stadium which would be called home for over half a century and undergo several expansions. A line-up featuring forward Sebastián Pocoví, defender Saturnino Grech and goalkeeper Antoni Ramallets beat Jerez 3–0 on the opening game of the new campaign the following day, with Carlos Sanz scoring Es Fortí's first goal in front of packed-out terraces. The title Es Fortí was short-lived however, with the board later changing the name of the stadium to Lluís Sitjar, in honour of the man who had driven the construction of the field.

During the 1949–1950 season, the Balearic club recovered their "Real" title, becoming Real Club Deportivo Mallorca

1960–1990

On 17 April 1960 Mallorca beat Levante 2-1 which confirmed promotion to La Liga for the first time in the clubs 44 year history.[3][4]

In their first season in the Spanish First Division, the 1960/61 season, Mallorca finished 9th out of 16 teams, on 28 points just 2 points Oviedo in the relegation playoffs. They were knocked out of the Copa Del Rey in the round of 16 to Sevilla 4-3 across two legs.[5]

Mallorca were then relegated back down to the Segunda Division after finishing 13th in the 1962/63 season, losing to Espanyol in the playoffs.[6]

After finishing first in the 1964/65 Segunda Division season they were relegated again in the 1965/66 La Liga season after finishing a disappointing 15th, tied on points with Sabadell in 14th and Real Betis in 16th.[7]

Mallorca would spend a few more seasons which saw them finish in the top 5 every season but were not promoted until the 1968/69 season which saw them finish 3rd, just 3 points off of first place Sevilla.[8] Despite this, Mallorca once again were relegated immediately, ending the 1969/70 La Liga season in 15th, only above Pontevedra who finished on just 13 points.[9]

Mallorca would then sit in the lower half of the Segunda Division until the 1974/75 season which saw them finish a lowly 17th and ultimately being relegated to the Tercera División for the 1975/76 season, in which they finished 8th in their group. [10][citation needed]

Mallorca would then fall further down the Spanish football divisions being relegated to the 4th division for the 1978/79 season. [citation needed]

These tough times would not last however, as Mallorca would get back-to-back promotions, finishing first in the 1979/80 fourth division season and then again in the 1980/81 Tercera División.[11]

Mallorca continued this streak of form with another promotion back to La Liga after finishing third in the 1982/83 Segunda Division.[12]

These good times would end as Mallorca would end up relegated again after finishing the 1983/84 La Liga season in 17th on a mere 21 points.[13]

Once again, Mallorca would come back after finishing the 1985/86 Segunda Division in 3rd, gaining promotion to La Liga for the 1986/87 season.[14]

1990s and 2000s: Peak

Chart of RCD Mallorca league performance 1929-present

In 1990–91, Mallorca reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time, losing by one goal to Atlético Madrid.[15]

Argentine Héctor Cúper was hired as manager in 1997. In his first season, the club reached the 1998 Copa del Rey Final, and lost on penalties to FC Barcelona after a 1–1 draw in Mestalla. However, as Barcelona also won the league, Mallorca were their opponents in the 1998 Supercopa de España and won 3–1 on aggregate for their first major honour.[16] Barcelona's double also meant Mallorca entered the 1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the final staging of the tournament – they lost the final 2–1 to Italy's S.S. Lazio at Villa Park.[17]

In 1999, Mallorca also finished a best-ever 3rd and qualified for the first time to the UEFA Champions League, but were eliminated on the away goals rule by Molde FK of Norway before the group stage. Luis Aragonés matched 3rd place in 2001, before leaving for an Atlético Madrid still in the second tier.[18] On 28 June 2003, Mallorca won the Copa del Rey with a 3–0 win over Recreativo de Huelva in the final in Elche; the goals were scored by Walter Pandiani and Samuel Eto'o (two).[19]

2010s: Decline and return

Estadi Mallorca Son Moix

Mallorca was relegated from La Liga on the last day of the 2012–13 season.[20] In January 2016, with the team at risk of relegation to the third tier, American investor Robert Sarver and former NBA player Steve Nash bought the club for just over €20 million.[21]

On 4 June 2017, Mallorca fell into the third tier for the first time since 1981, with one game of the season still to play.[22] A year later, they bounced back in the 2017–18 season after winning the play-off final against CF Rayo Majadahonda, under new manager Vicente Moreno.[23] In June 2019, Mallorca secured a second consecutive promotion to the 2019–20 La Liga, following a 3–2 win on aggregate over Deportivo de La Coruña in the 2019 Segunda División play-offs – having lost the first game 2–0.[24] However, they were relegated a year later.[25] A year later, Mallorca bounced back to the top tier following an Almería defeat to Cartagena.[26] In 2024, Mallorca reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since last winning the competition in 2003.

Season to season

More information Season, Tier ...
Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey
1931–32 3 4th Round of 32
1932–33 4 Regional 2nd Did not play
1933–34 4 Regional 4th DNP
1934–35 4 Regional 3rd DNP
1935–36 4 Regional 1st Second round
1939–40 2 7th DNP
1940–41 4 1ª Reg. 2nd DNP
1941–42 4 1ª Reg. 1st DNP
1942–43 4 1ª Reg. 1st DNP
1943–44 3 1st Round of 32
1944–45 2 11th First round
1945–46 2 8th First round
1946–47 2 5th First round
1947–48 2 13th Fifth round
1948–49 3 3rd Fifth round
1949–50 2 11th Round of 16
1950–51 2 12th DNP
1951–52 2 6th DNP
1952–53 2 8th Second round
1953–54 2 16th DNP
Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey
1954–55 3 1st DNP
1955–56 3 2nd DNP
1956–57 3 1st DNP
1957–58 3 1st DNP
1958–59 3 1st DNP
1959–60 2 1st Quarter-finals
1960–61 1 9th Round of 16
1961–62 1 11th Round of 16
1962–63 1 13th Round of 32
1963–64 2 3rd Round of 32
1964–65 2 1st Round of 16
1965–66 1 15th Round of 16
1966–67 2 5th Round of 32
1967–68 2 4th First round
1968–69 2 3rd DNP
1969–70 1 15th Round of 32
1970–71 2 9th Round of 32
1971–72 2 12th Fourth round
1972–73 2 10th Fourth round
1973–74 2 11th Third round
Close

Players

Current squad

As of 9 September 2024[27]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Reserve team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
Close

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...
Close

Management and staff

Technical staff

More information Position, Staff ...
Position Staff
Head coach Spain Jagoba Arrasate
Assistant coach Spain Bittor Alkiza
Fitness coach Spain Sergi Pérez
Spain Miguel Artigues
Goalkeeping coach Spain Luisvi de Miguel
Analysts Spain Xisco Campos
Spain Xim López
Delegate Spain Chando
Spain Anabel Soto
Kit man Spain José Martín
Spain Aitor Hernández
Head of medical staff Spain Adolfo Muñoz
Nutritionist Spain Nuria Granados
Physiotherapist Spain Dani Guiscafré
Spain Toni Jordi Perelló
Spain Magí Vicens
Spain Ferran Rosselló
Rehab fitness coach Spain Christian Castilla
Close

Last updated: 1 September 2021
Source:

Board of directors

President: Andy Kohlberg

Board of Directors Member: Glenn Carlson

Board of Directors Member: Sam Garvin

Honorary Secretary: Rosemary Mafuz

No Honorary Vicesecretary: Alfonso Díaz

Sports directors

CEO of Football: Pablo Ortells

Sports Director: Sergio Marty

Technical Secretary: Sergio Moya

Steering committee

CEO of Business: Alfonso Díaz

Finance Director: José Manuel Campos

Director of Legality, Compliance, Operations and HR: Lidia Navarro

Communications and Media Director: Héctor Martín

Marketing Director: Vanessa Feo

Social Area Director: Román Albarrán

Commercial Director: Rubén Forcada

Technology & Innovation Director: Roger Forns

Presidents

Real Sociedad Alfonso XIII Football Club

  • Adolfo Vázquez Humasqué (1916)
  • Antoni Moner (1916–19)
  • Josep Ramis d'Ayreflor (1919–24)
  • Antoni Moner (1924–26)
  • Lluís Sitjar (1926–27)
  • Sebastià Sancho (1927)
  • Manuel Villalonga (1927–29)
  • Josep Ramis d'Ayreflor / Sebastià Sancho (1929–30)
  • Antonio Parietti / Lluís Sitjar (1930–31)

Club Deportivo Mallorca

  • Lluís Sitjar / Josep Sancho / Ramón Cavaller (1931–32)
  • Miquel Seguí (1932–34)
  • Llorenç Lladó / Andreu Homar (1934–35)
  • Andreu Homar (1935–43)
  • Lluís Sitjar (1943–46)
  • Félix Pons Marqués (1946–47)

Real Club Deportivo Mallorca

  • Joaquín Fuster / Andreu Homar / Joan de Vidal (1948–51)
  • Antoni Buades / Josep Tous (1951)
  • Antoni Buades / José María del Valle (1952)
  • Llorenç Munar (1955)
  • Jaume Rosselló (1956–61)
  • Llorenç Munar (1961)
  • Joan de Vidal (1964–66)
  • Josep Barona (1966–67)
  • Josep Barona / Pau Servera (1967–68)
  • Pau Servera / Guillem Ginard (1969–70)
  • Guillem Ginard / Josep Fandós (1970–71)
  • Josep Fandós (1971–72)
  • Joan de Vidal (1972–74)
  • Joan de Vidal / Antoni Seguí (1974–75)
  • Antonio Seguí / Joan Ferrer (1975–76)
  • Guillem Ginard (1976-77)
  • Guillem Ginard / Miquel Contestí (1977–78)
  • Miquel Contestí (1978–92)
  • Miquel Dalmau (1992–95)
  • Bartomeu Beltrán (1995–98)
  • Guillem Reynés (1998–00)
  • Mateu Alemany (2000–05)
  • Vicenç Grande (2005–08)
  • Mateu Alemany (2008–09)
  • Tomeu Vidal (2009–10)
  • Josep Maria Pons (2010)
  • Jaume Cladera (2010–12)[28]

Honours

Domestic competitions

International competitions

Records

Team

Individual

Notable players

Most appearances

More information #, Name ...
#NameMatches
Spain Miguel Ángel Nadal255
Portugal José Nunes222
Spain Javier Olaizola206
Argentina Ariel Ibagaza204
Spain Víctor Casadesús197
Venezuela Juan Arango183
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Jovan Stanković175
Spain Marcos171
Spain Paco Soler168
10°Israel Dudu Aouate167
11°Spain Iván Ramis164
12°Spain José Luis Martí161
Close

Top scorers

More information #, Name ...
#NameGoals
Cameroon Samuel Eto'o70
Spain Abdón Prats52
Venezuela Juan Arango46
Spain Víctor Casadesús37
Kosovo Vedat Muriqi29
Spain Daniel Güiza28
Cameroon Pierre Webó27
Close

World Cup players

The following players have been selected by their country in the World Cup Finals, while playing for Mallorca.

Club information

  1. The attendance numbers are affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Stadium information

Thumb
The team plane, needed due to the club's island location

Affiliated teams

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.