The First Super League in History: Colombian Football

In the South American continent in the 1950s, Colombian football once staged a scene of capital carnival that was even crazier than the European Super League. When Florentino's "European Super League" plan caused an uproar in 2021, few people remembered that the concept of this "closed league of giants" was vividly interpreted by Colombians 70 years ago - they lit up the stadium with dollars, used rebellion to fight against authority, and finally left a legend full of blood and glory.

1. The spark of revolution: the unexpected product of the break with FIFA

On April 9, 1948, a gunshot on the streets of Bogotá changed everything. The assassination of opposition leader Jorge Gaitan triggered riots across the city, and 30,000 people died in the chaos. This tragedy, known as the "Bogotá Massacre", unexpectedly gave birth to the first Super League in football history.

At that time, Colombian football was still in the amateur era, the management of the Football Association was chaotic, and there was a lack of unified competition. Club owners took the opportunity to break away from the Football Association and establish a professional league. In order to divert people's attention from the violence, the government not only approved the establishment of the league, but also demanded that the league start six months in advance. In August 1948, the first professional league was hastily launched, but it completely broke with FIFA the following year due to the issue of the national team's right to participate.

FIFA's sanctions were thunderous: the Colombian League was directly removed from the list and became an "illegal event." But what is dramatic is that the separation from supervision has unleashed unprecedented power - clubs can directly use cash to poach global stars without paying transfer fees, and a storm has been set off that rewrites the rules of football economics.

2. The Empire of Gold and Dollar: The Plunder of Stars from Argentina to Europe

In 1949, the transfer of Argentinian star Pedernela kicked off the "Golden League". The South American footballer joined the Millionaires with a signing fee of US$5,000 and a monthly salary of US$500, setting a world record at the time. When he arrived in Bogota, 5,000 fans lined the streets to welcome him, and a convoy of 200 cars stretched for several kilometers.

Pednera's success triggered a chain reaction. In just two years, more than 50 Argentine stars landed in Colombia, including future Real Madrid legend Di Stefano. This "Golden Arrow" shocked European football when he represented the Millionaires in a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid in 1952. According to historical records, Di Stefano's weekly salary at the time was as high as $1,500, 10 times that of Real Madrid players at the same time.

The influx of South American players is just the beginning. The Colombians extended their reach further afield: British winger Charlie Mitten joined Santa Fe Independiente with a weekly salary of $140 (the maximum Premier League salary at the time was only £12), and goalkeeper Vytautas Krisciunas came from Lithuania and was called the "Blonde Giant" by fans. By 1953, the league had more than 100 foreign players, covering 12 countries.

3. Carnival and Depravity: Burning Dollars and Out-of-Control Humanity

The money-filled league brings unprecedented viewing pleasure. The Millionaires scored 50 goals in the first 10 games of the 1950 season, and even took the initiative to slow down the pace after leading by five goals and entertain the audience with impromptu performances. Forward Pedro Cavagnon scored 42 goals in 25 games in a single season, and midfielder Valeriano Lopez was personally lobbied by Real Madrid chairman Santiago Bernabeu for his header ability, but refused to join due to the salary gap.

But the lavish life quickly corroded the players' minds. British central defender Neil Franklin once said bluntly: "We live like kings here." His teammate George Mumford, however, clashed with the Argentinian players because he could not adapt to the climate and culture. What’s even more absurd is that Lopez rolled cigars with US dollar bills to fight inflation; Brazilian star Eleno de Freitas refused treatment for syphilis and left a last note of “I would rather die in bed than die happily.”

These scandals have instead become political tools for the authorities. The government used football to divert public attention and even formed new teams to quell riots in towns and cities. In 1953, an 8-year-old boy was shot dead by the police for sneaking into the stadium without a ticket. The league was forced to set up free children's stands, but the game continued as usual.

4. Ending and legacy: a mess after the bubble burst

The 1954 Lima Agreement became the straw that broke the camel's back. According to the agreement, all foreign players must return to their original clubs. But at this time, the Colombian league was already riddled with problems: the club went bankrupt due to over-investment, and fans stopped supporting because of the loss of stars. The Millionaires went from being the "best in the world" to being second-tier in South America, and Independiente Santa Fe even relied on the tour to stay afloat.

The only legacy left by this carnival is its subversive impact on the global football economy. England abolished the salary cap in 1961, with Spain and Italy following suit. Stars such as Di Stefano and Rial brought South American technology to Europe, which indirectly promoted Real Madrid's five consecutive Champions League titles. However, Colombian football never recovered, and it was not until the era of "Golden Lion King" Valderrama in the 1990s that there was a brief recovery.

5. Historical Mirror: Can the European Super League escape the same fate?

When the European Super League was announced in 2021, what people saw was another erosion of the essence of football by capital. Similar to the Colombian League, the European Super League attempts to monopolize commercial interests through a closed system, but ignores the community attributes and competitive uncertainty of football. The difference is that the European Super League has a more complex legal structure and global influence, but it also faces questions about fairness and fan resistance.

It is worth noting that the EU Court of Justice ruled in 2023 that FIFA's "prior approval" rules were illegal, providing a legal breakthrough for the European Super League. Real Madrid, Barcelona and other clubs are still persisting, trying to copy the Colombian's "rebellious success learning". But history has long proven that the capital carnival that is divorced from the foundation will eventually dissipate. The real vitality of football will always exist in the symbiosis between the grassroots and the wealthy..

From the street riots in Bogotá to the court games in Madrid, football’s Super League dream has always oscillated between ideal and reality. The rise and fall of Colombia's "Golden League" tells us: when money becomes the only belief, when the game is reduced to a game of capital, football will lose its most moving soul - a power that transcends victory and defeat and connects the public, and is the reason why every fan waits late at night.