A major dispute over the history of Colombian football erupted this week after the president of the Division Mayor del Futbol Colombiano (Dimayor) unilaterally declared that Copa Colombia titles won before 2008 are not official.
In an interview with El VBar on Caracol Radio, Dimayor President Carlos Mario Zuluaga stated that the tournament only acquired “formal” status following its administrative restructuring in 2008.
“The Copa Colombia was restructured starting in the year 2008, when it was called Copa Postobon. And from there, they started in proper form,” Zuluaga said. “The previous ones do not count, and the first champion was La Equidad. Since that date, they have been carried out officially.
The declaration, which was made without a vote or formal resolution from the governing body’s assembly, immediately places the historical achievements of four clubs in jeopardy. If Zuluaga’s interpretation is enforced, it would strip titles from the official records of Boca Juniors de Cali (1951), Millonarios (1953), Independiente Medellin (1981), and Independiente Santa Fe (1989).
Copa Colombia has a fragmented history
Copa Colombia has a fragmented history, with sporadic editions organized by Colombian football’s governing bodies throughout the 20th century. It is the national cup, a separate competition from the Colombian league, which has been played continuously since 1948.
Boca Juniors de Cali won the inaugural edition in 1951, defeating Santa Fe. Two years later, during the golden “El Dorado” era, Millonarios claimed the trophy. After a long hiatus, the tournament returned briefly in the 1980s, crowning Medellin in 1981 and Santa Fe in 1989.
Zuluaga’s assertion that “only since 2008 is the Copa Colombia valid for a title” contradicts the long-standing recognition of these victories. The unilateral nature of the comment has sparked confusion and anger among fans, as previous administrations of Dimayor had organized the earlier tournaments as well.
The decision would strip Millonarios, Santa Fe, and Medellin of their previous victories
The practical implications of the decision are significant for the country’s most historic clubs:
- Millonarios would drop from three to two Copa titles (and from 22 to 21 official titles overall).
- Independiente Medellin would fall from three to two Copa titles (and from nine to eight official titles overall).
- Independiente Santa Fe would lose one title, dropping from two to one in the Copa count.
- Boca Juniors de Cali would be the hardest hit, losing its only official top-tier title in Colombian football history.
Conversely, the modern dominance of Atletico Nacional remains unaffected. Following their recent 1-0 victory over Independiente Medellin in the 2025 final, Nacional holds eight Copa Colombia titles, all won since 2012, cementing their place at the top of the table regardless of the ruling.
Dimayor is yet to issue an official statement regarding the Copa Colombia counts
As of Tuesday, Dec. 23, Dimayor has not issued an institutional statement confirming whether Zuluaga’s radio comments represent a binding policy change.
However, the mere suggestion that a single official could erase half a century of history by decree has unsettled the league.
Under the revised count proposed by Zuluaga, the Copa Colombia winners list would be led by Atletico Nacional (eight), followed by a tie for second place between Millonarios, Medellin, and Junior de Barranquilla (two each). La Equidad, crowned in 2008, would be recognized as the tournament’s “first” official champion.