By: Daniel Duque

All around the world there are soccer teams that are considered historical and powerful due to them constantly staying on the top standings of their country's first division leagues. However, while big teams are expected to perform well every season, these can have difficult seasons with poor performances which may result in their relegation to second division. In which, is what no soccer fan wants to see happening to their team. Across history there have been cases of big teams that got relegated to second division after a bad season. Some of these cases surprised soccer supporters around the world.

River Plate (Argentina 2011)

River Plate from Buenos Aires, Argentina is one of the top teams from South American soccer. With 37 leagues, 13 national cups, and 18 international trophies including four Copa Libertadores titles, River plate is one of the most successful clubs in South America. However, in 2011, they got relegated to Argentina's second division league after three years of poor performances that began in 2008. The streak of poor results forced River Plate to play the relegation play-off matches against Belgrano which concluded with a 3-1 aggregate result against the club from Buenos Aires, sending them to second division for the first time in history. They returned to the top tier in 2012.

River Plate players and managers mourning the team's relegation.
Photo courtesy of The Sunday Times

America de Cali (Colombia 2011)

America de Cali is one of the top teams in Colombia and is considered a historical team in South America. Their achievements include 15 league titles, one international trophy and four Copa Libertadores sub-titles. After two years of poor performances which started in the 2009 season, America was forced to play a relegation play-off at the end of the 2011 season against second division club Patriotas FC. The aggregate result was 2-2 forcing the definition through penalty kicks. Patriotas won 4-3 which promoted them to first division and America was relegated to second division. They lasted five years and got promoted in 2016.

America de Cali players mourning their team's relegation.
Photo courtesy of Goal.com

Atletico Madrid (Spain 2000)

Like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid is considered a top team in Spain. In their history they have achieved 33 titles that include 11 leagues, 10 Spanish cups, two Spanish Super cups and three UEFA Super cups. During the 1999/2000 season of the Spanish league while going through a period of financial problems and poor results, they ended 19th sending the club to second division after a draw against Real Oviedo. Despite having skillful players in their squad, Atletico Madrid was not able to escape relegation. They would return to first division in 2002.

Juventus (Italy 2007)

Juventus is one of Italy's top teams along with AC Milan and Inter. They have achieved a total of 70 official titles in their history. However, during the 2006/2007 season of Italy's Serie A, a scandal known as Calciopoli took place. This scandal involved four of Italy's top teams including Juventus, these clubs were investigated after claims that they were involved with referees in order to get benefited during their games. Juventus was also accused of doping their players which resulted on their relegation to Serie B (starting with -9 points instead of 0) as punishment and the removal of two of their league titles. Despite the disadvantage of starting the season with -9 points, Juventus managed to get promoted in their first try.

Juventus celebrating the 2004/2005 league title which was removed after the Calciopoli scandal.
Photo courtesy of Footie Central

Internacional (Brazil 2016)

Internacional from the city of Porto Alegre in Brazil, is one of the different top teams in Brazil's league. Apart from the league titles they have achieved, Inter has seven international titles including two Copa Libertadores and one FIFA Clubs World Cup title. However, in 2016 Inter got relegated after a poor season in Brazil's first division league. They lasted one season in second division and got promoted at the end of 2017. Brazil's relegation system can affect any club as only a single poor season standing on the last four places of the table is enough to be relegated.

Internacional fans mourning their team's relegation.
Photo courtesy of Marca

Many teams have been relegated in history around the world. However, big teams are not expected to be relegated even if they do not have their best season. Despite the fact, these teams can have bad seasons that can send them to second division. Relegation means the team had a bad season but that does not take away the fact that they are still a big team.

When Big Teams Fail: Relegation