Cerro Largo

Cerro Largo Fútbol Club is a professional football club based in Melo, Uruguay. Founded in 2002, the club has quickly risen through the ranks of Uruguayan football, making a name for itself in the national league.

The club was established by a group of local businessmen with a vision to promote football in the Cerro Largo Department, a region traditionally known for its love of gaucho culture and rodeo, rather than football. The club's name, Cerro Largo, is a tribute to the department in which it is based.

Cerro Largo FC made its debut in the Uruguayan Segunda División, the second tier of Uruguayan football, in the 2003 season. The club achieved its first significant success in 2008 when it won the Segunda División title, earning promotion to the Primera División, Uruguay's top-flight league.

Since its promotion to the Primera División, Cerro Largo FC has become a regular fixture in the league. The club has managed to hold its own against more established teams, often finishing in the upper half of the league table. In the 2019 season, the club achieved its best ever finish, ending the season in second place, just behind the national powerhouse, Club Nacional de Football.

Cerro Largo FC's home ground is the Estadio Arquitecto Antonio Eleuterio Ubilla, a stadium with a capacity of 9,000 spectators. The stadium, located in Melo, is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with the club's passionate fans known as the 'arachanes' providing enthusiastic support.

The club's crest features a gaucho, a symbol of the region's cultural heritage, riding a horse and holding a football, symbolizing the club's commitment to promoting football in the region. The club's colors are blue and white, representing the colors of the Cerro Largo Department's flag.

Cerro Largo FC's youth academy has been a key part of the club's success. The club has a strong focus on developing local talent, with many players from the academy going on to play for the first team. The club's commitment to youth development is reflected in its motto, "Creer en lo nuestro" ("Believe in what is ours").

Despite its relatively short history, Cerro Largo FC has made a significant impact on Uruguayan football. The club's rise from a regional team to a top-flight club is a testament to the vision of its founders and the dedication of its players and staff. As Cerro Largo FC continues to grow, it remains committed to its roots, promoting football in the Cerro Largo Department and developing local talent.