The award beyond the Cup

The Caravan of Santa Fe, in the celebration of the tenth star.

Photo: Jose Vargas Esguerra

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Independent Santa Fe continues to celebrate its tenth star. After the epic match against Deportivo Independiente Medellín, at the Atanasio Girardot stadium, the Cardinal team managed to join the select group of teams that have achieved the double digit in titles in Colombian football.

The game was resolved with somewhat from Hugo Rodallega, who was injured and in the minute he had to leave the game. Before, the Res opened the score with a goal by Francisco Fydriszewski, but the cardinals reacted with character and tied through Harold Santiago Mosquera.

The consecration in Medellín was the perfect closure for a semester full of ups and downs, in which Santa Fe was finding his identity on the march. With a squad that mixed experience and youth, the team knew how to reinvent itself in the most critical moments, supported by the figure of Jorge Bava, a coach who arrived without noise and ended up being key in the tenth cardinal conquest. The defensive solidity, the leadership of veterans such as Daniel Torres and Rodallega's inspiration were pillars of the title.

Beyond the result, Santa Fe gained something deeper: the credibility of his fans, who during the tournament ranged between doubt and hope. In an increasingly couple more, the Bogota lion roared hard just when I needed it most. With this new star, the club reaches the ten league titles and is consolidated as one of the great historical ones in the country. The celebration in Bogotá will be long, because this Olympic return, unexpected for many, was one of the most exciting in its history.

The prize that Santa Fe guaranteed with the star: the Libertadores

With the star achieved in Medellín, Independiente Santa Fe became the first Colombian team classified to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores 2026. This achievement not only represents a sports recognition, but also ensures important economic income: by the mere fact of participating in the group stage, Conmebol delivery USD $ 3.5 million. In addition, for each game won at that stage, clubs receive an additional amount, which makes the competition a key source of financing.

To that income is added the local awards: the box office of the finals, which could leave some USD $ 2.5 million; the champion bonus delivered by Dimayor (USD $ 250 thousand); and the economic recognition of Conmebol for being the winner of the semiannual tournament (USD $ 500 thousand). In total, Santa Fe could be pocketed near USD $ 6.7 million, a figure that can mark a turning point in its finances, especially in a league like the Colombian where economic awards are reduced compared to the rest of the continent.

This was the Palmarés of the Colombian League

With this new consecration, Santa Fe is positioned in the fourth place of the historical ranking, only behind Atlético Nacional (18 titles), Millionaires (16) and América de Cali (15).

It is also the Bogota team with more league titles in the last decade, adding four since 2012 and demonstrating remarkable validity despite the institutional ups and downs it has faced. The tenth star arrives nine years after the one obtained in 2016-II, and marks the return of the club to the top of Colombian football.

The campaign also represents an individual milestone to Hugo Rodallegawho was key in the title and consolidated as top scorer of the tournament. His performance in the final, playing injured and scoring the decisive goal, elevates it to the status of cardinal idol.

The coach's work also highlights Jorge Bavawho in just three months in command managed to return to Santa Fe the prominence and the competitive spirit that has historically characterized it.

With this triumph, Santa Fe not only enlarges its history, but again projects internationally, ensuring its participation in the next Copa Libertadores.