Why Athletic could be ‘world champions’ on Saturday | OneFootball

Athletic could be unofficial ‘world champions’ on Saturday if they win an official match against holders Alavés. The lineage switches only when the champions lose in competition.

As reported by as.com, the current chain runs Alavés from Mallorca, Mallorca from Real Madrid, Madrid from Manchester City, City from Newcastle.

It mirrors boxing, the winner becomes champion. No leagues, no points, no two-legged ties, only the next official game.

The first holders were Clapham Rovers, 3-0 over Upton Park at West Ham London Park on 11 November 1871 in the FA Cup, a match regarded as football’s first official fixture. Some 5,535 games later, Athletic could ascend.

At times the crown has drifted into lower and even amateur tiers after cup shocks, sending it on a meandering tour.

Athletic have lifted this notional crown five times, most recently in 2000 after beating Alavés on the final day, then losing it to Deportivo de A Coruña on the opening weekend.

They also held it briefly in 1995 after a first-leg win over Betis, surrendering it in the return a week later, and again in 1986 and 1989. It remains a niche curiosity.

Source: as.com