RCD Mallorca FC, commonly known as "Mallorca", was founded in 1916 and is a professional football club based in Mallorca, Spain. The club is nicknamed "The Pirates". Its red and black striped jerseys are affectionately referred to by fans as the "Red and Black Legion."
The club was originally named Alfonso XIII Football Club, and in 1931, with the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic, any form of monarchy was prohibited. The club was renamed Mallorca La Coruña Club until it regained the "Royal" title in the 1949-1950 season, becoming RCD Mallorca.
The club's most glorious period was mainly concentrated from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Under the leadership of coach Héctor Cúper, in the 1998-1999 season, the team reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup, although they ultimately lost 1-2 to Lazio, finishing as runners-up. In 1998, they defeated the strong Barcelona with an aggregate score of 5-2 in a two-legged match, winning their first Spanish Super Cup trophy in club history. In the 2002-2003 Copa del Rey final, the team won 3-0 against Vélez, lifting the Copa del Rey trophy for the first time in history.
Entering the 21st century, the team oscillated between La Liga and Segunda División multiple times. On the last day of the 2012-13 season, they were relegated from La Liga. When the team faced the risk of being relegated to the third division, American investors Robert Sarver and former NBA player Steve Nash purchased the club for just over 20 million euros.