Club Atlético Osasuna, commonly known as CA Osasuna or simply Osasuna, is a professional football club based in Pamplona, Navarre, Spain. The club is renowned for its passionate local support, unique Basque identity, and history as the most prominent football institution in Navarre. Osasuna’s nickname, *Los Rojillos* ("The Little Reds"), reflects both their traditional red shirts and their fighting spirit on the pitch.
CA Osasuna History
Osasuna was founded on October 24, 1920, through the merger of Sportiva Foot-ball Club and New Club, becoming the oldest club in Navarre. The name "Osasuna," meaning "health," "strength," or "vigour" in Basque, was chosen to symbolize the club’s resilience and vitality.
Initially placed in the third division when Spanish football became professional in 1928, Osasuna quickly rose to the Segunda División in 1932 and reached La Liga for the first time in the 1935–36 season. The club experienced fluctuating fortunes, with periods in both the top and lower divisions, but established itself as a mainstay in La Liga from the 1980s onward.
Osasuna has a storied rivalry with Real Zaragoza and secondary rivalries with clubs like Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid. The club is also notable for being member-owned, one of only four such clubs in La Liga, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Athletic Club.
Most Famous Players
Over the decades, Osasuna has developed and featured several notable players, many of whom emerged from its respected youth academy. Some of the most famous include:
- Enrique Martín Monreal: A club legend as both player and coach, instrumental in various promotions.
- César Azpilicueta: Developed at Osasuna before moving to Marseille and then Chelsea, where he became a Champions League winner.
- Patxi Puñal: The club’s all-time appearance leader and a symbol of loyalty and leadership.
- Raúl García: Rose through Osasuna’s ranks before enjoying a successful career with Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
Achievements
While Osasuna has never won a major national trophy, its achievements are significant for a club of its size:
- La Liga: Best finish – 4th place (1990–91, 2005–06).
- Copa del Rey: Runners-up twice (2004–05, 2022–23).
- UEFA Cup/Europa League: Semi-finalists in 2006–07.
- Supercopa de España: Participated for the first time in 2024 after their Copa del Rey final appearance.
- Segunda División: Multiple promotions, with 44 seasons in La Liga, 38 in Segunda, and 13 in Tercera.
Osasuna is considered the 14th best team in Spanish football history and was named the world’s best club for December 2006 by the IFFHS after a successful run in La Liga and Europe.
Net Worth
Precise figures for Osasuna’s net worth are not publicly available in the search results. However, as a stable La Liga club with a 23,500-seat stadium (El Sadar), a membership base of around 20,000, and a consistent presence in Spain’s top flight, Osasuna’s valuation is estimated to be in the low hundreds of millions of euros. The club’s member-owned structure emphasizes sustainability and prudent financial management over commercial expansion.
CA Osasuna Summary
CA Osasuna stands as a proud symbol of Navarrese identity and Basque resilience. Founded in 1920, the club has grown from local beginnings to become a respected fixture in La Liga, celebrated for its passionate supporters, strong youth academy, and competitive spirit. Despite never lifting a major trophy, Osasuna’s history is marked by memorable cup runs, European adventures, and the development of top-class talent. Its unique ownership model and community roots ensure that Osasuna remains one of Spanish football’s most distinctive and enduring clubs.
