Real Betis

Club History

Real Betis Balompié was founded on September 12, 1907, by students of Seville’s Polytechnic School, adopting the green-and-white stripes and the motto “¡Viva el Betis manque pierda!” (“Long live Betis even when they lose!”). After merging with rival Balompié in 1914, the club won its first Copa del Rey in 1931 and, under president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera in the 1990s–2000s, returned to La Liga and reached the 2005 Copa del Rey final, winning the trophy. The Joaquín-led 2021–22 season delivered a third Copa del Rey and a historic Europa League round-of-16 run, with 1 La Liga title (1934–35), 3 Copas del Rey, and consistent top-flight presence since 2015. Playing at the renovated Estadio Benito Villamarín (60,720 capacity, completed 2017 with new stands and roof), Betis remains Seville’s passionate working-class rival to Sevilla FC and a symbol of Andalusian football pride.