An Atlético Memento: Don Quixote Trophy

Next Match | Saturday 18 April Sat 18 Apr

POR

(A)

01 D

08 H

46 M

24 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

An Atlético Memento: Don Quixote Trophy

It was November 1961, and Howard Riley - Leicester City’s star outside-right - had been grasping the weighty trophy of Don Quixote on his lap for several hours.

2025-02-16T13:00+00:00

An Atlético Memento: Don Quixote Trophy

It was November 1961, and Howard Riley - Leicester City’s star outside-right - had been grasping the weighty trophy of Don Quixote on his lap for several hours.

2025-02-16T13:00+00:00

An Atlético Memento: Don Quixote Trophy

It was November 1961, and Howard Riley - Leicester City’s star outside-right - had been grasping the weighty trophy of Don Quixote on his lap for several hours.

2025-02-16T13:00+00:00

An Atlético Memento: Don Quixote Trophy

It was November 1961, and Howard Riley - Leicester City’s star outside-right - had been grasping the weighty trophy of Don Quixote on his lap for several hours.

2025-02-16T13:00+00:00

An Atlético Memento: Don Quixote Trophy

It was November 1961, and Howard Riley - Leicester City’s star outside-right - had been grasping the weighty trophy of Don Quixote on his lap for several hours.

2025-02-16T13:00+00:00

The Leicester City squad had just returned to the East Midlands after an exhilarating encounter with Europe’s elite for the first time, and along with the priceless memories they garnered, they carried this solid brass figure, a gift from Atlético Madrid. Memories of the match would fade over the course of the Club’s history, but the trophy ensured its legacy wouldn’t.

The 1960s had kicked off spectacularly for Leicester, featuring a sixth-place finish and a memorable FA Cup Final that propelled Matt Gillies’ side to new heights: a place in the European Cup Winners' Cup draw. While it was Tottenham Hotspur’s historic double that opened the door for City’s continental adventure, City had earned every inch of their journey.

Disappointment marked the initial draw against Glenavon of Northern Ireland, a trip further afield yearned for instead, but Leicester advanced to the second round, where Atlético Madrid awaited.

A packed-out Filbert Street had welcomed Atlético for the first leg, and City put on a show for their home crowd, playing out a thrilling 1-1 draw and only narrowly missing out on the win. Then came the moment the Leicester boys had eagerly anticipated - a trip to face the Spanish giants on their home turf.

Young 18-year-old Graham Cross and penalty hero Gordon Banks put up a fight in the Spanish capital, leaving a lasting impression beyond the Estadio Manzanares (later the Vicente Calderón), but they ultimately exited the competition after a 2-0 loss. Atlético would go on to claim the tournament title. Their manager, Rafael Garcia, later told the Spanish press that City were one of the most impressive sides they encountered and presented the Foxes with the brass figure - one deeply significant to Madrid, Spain, and literature. Don Quixote remains the second-most translated work after the Bible and is often hailed as the greatest literary piece ever written. The impact of this masterpiece continues to resonate in Madrid, the birthplace of author Miguel de Cervantes, over 400 years later.

“To dream the impossible dream, that is my quest,” Don Quixote declared on his adventure. Fittingly, it echoed Leicester City’s own aspirations. The figure of Don Quixote commemorates their first taste of European adventure and foreshadows a decade of daring to dream and remarkable achievements for Leicester City.

LATEST HEADLINES

Rowett: James & Ramsey Assessed Pre-Pompey Gary Rowett revealed that Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey are being monitored prior to our trip to Portsmouth.

13 Hours 8 Mins Ago

Pompey Clash Live On Foxes Hub We're at Fratton Park this Saturday lunchtime - here's how to follow the action across Foxes Hub.

14 Hours 13 Mins Ago

McSweeney ‘Really Pleased’ With Leeds Triumph Leon McSweeney believes our Under-21s were rewarded for a high level of performance produced during the 3-2 success over Leeds United on Monday.

15 Apr, 2026

Foxes On Target In World Cup Qualifiers Hannah Cain and Sari Kees both netted in recent FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, while Emily van Egmond scored for Australia.

15 Apr, 2026