Leganés: About
Overview of the club "Leganes"
Founded in 1928, this club from the suburbs of Madrid remained in the shadows for many decades. No high-profile transfers, no titles, no fight for a place in European tournaments. But there was something else - loyal fans, dedication to the idea and the desire to rise to the top.
And when in 2016 Leganes went to La Liga for the first time in its history, it became one of the best football stories in Spain. A club that didn't have a big budget, didn't have superstars, but had character.
"And although the team is now back in Segunda, it has already proven that it is capable of the incredible."
History of "Leganes"
Like most small Spanish clubs, Leganes have spent most of their history in the lower leagues. The team first appeared on the football map in 1928, but for long decades nobody except local fans wasn't interested.
In the 90s "Leganes" began to make a name for themselves little by little, entering Segunda. He stayed there for almost 20 years, until in 2016 he did what nobody believed – he made his way to La Liga.
It was a breakthrough. A small club from the suburbs of Madrid, with limited finances, for the first time reached the level where Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético played.
"But the main moment in the club's recent history happened in 2018 – Leganes knocked Real out of the Spanish Cup!"
At the "Santiago Bernabeu", the team, which until recently played in the third division, beat the Madrid giants and went on.
Lasting in La Liga for four seasons, in 2020 Leganes returned to Segunda. But this is no longer the club it used to be. This is a team that knows it can return to the elite at any moment.
Leganes Stadium
The club plays at "Butarka", a stadium with a capacity of slightly more than 12,000 spectators. It is a small arena, but it has its own special charm.
Located in the very heart of the city, the stadium has become a real home for fans. There are no giant stands or state-of-the-art infrastructure, but there is what is more important – a real football atmosphere.
When the team played in La Liga, "Butarque" became a place where even grands were not easy. Here "Barcelona" was losing points, and "Real" was nervous.
"And even now, in Segunda, it's one of the most uncomfortable arenas for opponents."
Accomplishment: When even small victories matter
Leganes has no major titles. But he has moments that will forever remain in club history:
- Exit to La Liga (2016) – the first time in the highest division.
- Victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Cup (2018) – historical sensation.
- Four seasons in La Liga (2016-2020) – the best period in the life of the club.
- Wins against "Barcelona" and "Atletico" are proof that even small clubs can beat the big ones.
Famous Leganes players
Although the club never had world stars, its members played footballers who left their mark:
Martin Braithwaite is a striker who performed so well in La Liga that he was then bought by Barcelona.
Gabriel Pires is a midfielder who was one of the main creators of success of the team in the Primera.
Nabil El-Jar is an experienced player who brought attacking creativity to the team.
Dmytro Kravets – a Ukrainian who, albeit for a short time, had his role in the club.
Kenneth Omeruo is a reliable defender who helped the team in difficult moments.
Interesting facts about "Leganes"
Team "cucumbers" – in the city of Leganes, cucumbers are traditionally grown, so the club received the nickname "Pepineros" (Cucumbers).
Earlier he was not interesting to anyone – now he has global popularity – back in the 2010s almost no one knew about him, and now he is known even outside of Spain.
Butarque – the smallest stadium in La Liga in 2016 – when the team entered the Primera, its arena was one of the most compact in the championship.
Sensation of the Cup 2018 – not everyone was able to knock out "Real" at **"Bernabeu", but "Leganes" did it.
"Leganes is a reminder that in football, dreams can become reality if you have faith and perseverance."
It is worth noting that Leganes has become a symbol of football romance, proving that even the humblest clubs can write great stories. Can the team return to La Liga and repeat the fairy tale of 2016-2020? One thing can be said for sure — the spirit of Butarque and the character of cucumbers make Leganes a special place where every victory has a special taste and big dreams do not depend on the size of the budget. This is a club that proves that the most important thing in football is never giving up and believing in the impossible.
