El Clásico Paisa

Alasdair (one of our volunteers) speaking about one of the highlights of his time in Medellín!

Medellín is a city where it’s hard to escape football. Whether it’s chatting with taxi drivers, watching kids play in the park, seeing murals painted in the colors of Atlético Nacional and Independiente de Medellín, or walking down streets packed with fans supporting their teams, the sport is everywhere. So, when I found out that the Medellín derby would take place during my final weekend in the city, I couldn’t wait to experience it firsthand.

I went to the game with my mum (who was visiting) and two friends who were also volunteering with Intercambio. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my time in Medellín. The passion for football and the energy of the paisas were evident the moment I stepped into the stadium. Fireworks erupted, smoke covered whole stands in the teams' colours, and a giant banner passed on top of us, briefly enveloping us in a sea of green. The fans’ constant singing, jumping, and even moshing made it clear that sitting was not an option if you wanted to keep up with the game. My friend, who was recovering from a leg fracture, quickly realized he’d need to move to a quieter spot to protect his injury.

Even when the game kicked off, I found myself more gripped by the sights and sounds in the stands than what was happening on the pitch. My other friend and I started jumping in unison with the other fans and tried to join in with the chants. The energy did boil over once or twice, with two red cards on the pitch and a fight breaking out between two Atletico fans that nearly knocked my mum over. The intensity was mirrored on the pitch, with a brawl breaking out leading to one of the two red cards in the game. I smiled, remembering our taxi driver that morning who said that the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed than it used to be!

Even when Nacional conceded a goal, the energy from our section never dropped. The chanting and jumping continued, even as the game seemed to slip out of reach. But in the end, Nacional managed to overcome playing with fewer men, scoring a late equalizer. The game ended in a draw, hopefully leading to a safe evening for all the fans that night