RCD Mallorca, officially known as Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, is a Spanish professional football club based in Palma, on the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands. Founded in 1916, the club has a rich history spanning over a century and currently plays its home matches at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, which can host over 23,000 spectators. While not among the giants of Spanish football, RCD Mallorca is renowned for its passionate fan base and memorable achievements, particularly during its golden era in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
RCD Mallorca History
RCD Mallorca was established on March 5, 1916, originally named Alfonso XIII Foot-Ball Club. The club quickly gained prominence, receiving royal patronage and becoming Real Sociedad Alfonso XIII Foot-Ball Club. Throughout its early years, Mallorca competed in regional and national competitions, gradually building its reputation. The club experienced frequent promotions and relegations, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, but finally established itself as a professional team after earning promotion to La Liga in 1960.
The club's most successful period came in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Mallorca finished third in La Liga twice (1998/99 and 2000/01), reached the final of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1999, and won its first major trophy, the Copa del Rey, in 2003. In recent years, Mallorca has continued to show resilience, bouncing back to La Liga after relegations, most recently securing promotion in the 2020/21 season.
Most Famous Players
Over the years, RCD Mallorca has been home to several notable players:
- Miguel Ángel Nadal: A club legend with 348 appearances, also known for his time with FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
- Samuel Eto'o: The Cameroonian striker scored 70 goals for Mallorca and later became a global star with FC Barcelona and Inter Milan.
- Paco Soler: Mallorca’s record appearance maker with 419 matches.
- Dani Güiza: Won the La Liga Pichichi Trophy in 2007–08 while at Mallorca.
- Carlos Roa: Goalkeeper who won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in 1998–99.
- Abdón Prats: One of the club’s top scorers in recent history.
- Javier Olaizola: Another long-serving player, with over 300 appearances.
The club has also seen several players represent their countries at the FIFA World Cup while playing for Mallorca, including Zoran Vulić, Iván Campo, Albert Luque, Pierre Webó, and Lee Kang-in.
Achievements
RCD Mallorca's trophy cabinet, while modest compared to Spain's biggest clubs, includes several significant honors:
- Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup): 1 win (2002/03), 3 times runner-up (1990/91, 1997/98, 2023/24).
- Supercopa de España (Spanish Super Cup): 1 win (1998), 1 time runner-up (2003).
- Segunda División (Spanish 2nd tier): 2 titles (1959/60, 1964/65).
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: Runner-up in 1998/99.
- Primera División RFEF (third tier): 1 title (2017/18).
Mallorca is also notable for being the only club to win their first Copa del Rey trophy in the 21st century.
Net Worth
While exact figures can fluctuate, RCD Mallorca's net worth is modest compared to Spain's elite clubs. The club operates with a smaller budget, reflective of its status as a mid-table La Liga side. The club's value is typically estimated in the tens of millions of euros, with revenues primarily from television rights, sponsorships, and player transfers. The club's financial prudence and ability to develop talent have been key to its sustainability in Spanish football.
RCD Mallorca Summary
RCD Mallorca stands as a proud representative of the Balearic Islands in Spanish football. Founded in 1916, the club has experienced both highs and lows, highlighted by a golden era at the turn of the millennium that saw them win the Copa del Rey and compete in European finals. With a passionate fan base, a history of notable players, and a respectable list of achievements, Mallorca continues to punch above its weight in La Liga. Despite financial limitations, the club’s resilience and community spirit ensure its enduring place in Spanish football.
