It is a feeling. Honestly, if you walk through the streets of Santiago or Concepcion during a match day, the air literally feels different. You see the red shirts everywhere. It's not just about eleven guys chasing a ball across a patch of grass. People call the Chilean national team La Roja de Todos because, for better or worse, it’s the one thing that actually glues the country together when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
But where did that nickname even come from?
Most folks just assume it’s because the jersey is red. Simple, right? Not really. The term "La Roja de Todos" became a massive cultural staple during the era of Marcelo Bielsa and later Jorge Sampaoli. It was a marketing masterclass, sure, but it tapped into a very real hunger for identity. It suggests ownership. It says this team doesn't belong to the federation or the rich clubs—it belongs to the guy selling empanadas on the corner and the CEO in Las Condes alike.
The Identity Crisis and the Rise of La Roja de Todos
For decades, Chilean football was defined by "playing like never before and losing like always." It was heartbreaking. You had legends like Elias Figueroa or Carlos Caszely, but the collective soul of the team always seemed to flicker out right when it mattered most.
Then came the "Golden Generation."
Names like Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sánchez, and Claudio Bravo changed the frequency. Suddenly, the nickname La Roja de Todos wasn't just a hopeful slogan on a billboard; it was a threat to the rest of South America. They stopped playing for the draw. They started pressing high, running until their lungs burned, and winning back-to-back Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016. If you weren't watching South American football back then, you missed a literal revolution in how a "small" footballing nation views itself.
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Why the "Of Everyone" Part Actually Matters
Chile is a country with deep social divides. It’s no secret. Yet, when the national anthem plays and the stadium goes silent before that final roar, those divides sort of... vanish? Kinda.
The phrase La Roja de Todos implies a radical inclusivity. It was used heavily to bridge the gap between the fans and a team that started to feel like superstars. When Alexis is playing for Arsenal or Inter Milan, he feels far away. When he puts on that red kit, he’s just a kid from Tocopilla again. That’s the magic. It’s a collective property.
However, we have to be honest. This nickname has been tested.
When the team failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the "of everyone" part felt a bit heavy. Fans are fickle. When you’re winning, everyone wants a piece of the red shirt. When you’re losing to teams you used to dominate, people start pointing fingers at the "Golden Generation" for being too old or too arrogant. The transition from the Bielsa era to the current rebuilding phase has been, well, messy.
The Tactical DNA
What made this team "The Red of Everyone" wasn't just winning; it was how they did it.
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- Suicidal Pressing: Under Sampaoli, the team played with a high line that was basically a dare.
- Small But Mighty: Chile famously had one of the shortest squads. They didn't care. Gary Medel, the "Pitbull," would fight a guy six inches taller and usually win.
- Versatility: Players didn't have fixed spots. It was fluid. It was chaotic. It was beautiful.
The Commercial Side vs. The Soul
You can't talk about La Roja de Todos without mentioning the business. Sponsors love this stuff. Coca-Cola, banks, telecomm companies—they all latched onto the phrase because it’s the ultimate emotional hook.
Is it a bit cynical? Maybe.
But talk to a fan who saved up three months' salary to go to Brazil or Russia just to see them play. They don't care about the sponsorship deals. For them, the nickname represents a period where Chile wasn't just a participant; they were the protagonists. That shift in psyche is hard to overstate. It changed how Chilean kids grew up. They didn't grow up wanting to be Brazilian or Argentinian stars—they wanted to be the next Charles Aránguiz.
Misconceptions About the Nickname
Some people think Spain owns the "La Roja" brand.
There was actually a bit of a tiff about this years ago. Spain started using "La Roja" around 2004-2008 during their dominant run. Chilean fans were annoyed. They’d been using it for ages. But the addition of "de Todos" is uniquely Chilean. It adds that communal layer that the Spanish version lacks. It’s not just the color; it’s the social contract.
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Also, it's worth noting that the "Red" jersey wasn't always the standard. Early on, Chile wore white. Then they tried half-and-half. The red didn't become the permanent, iconic look until the 1940s. So, the "tradition" is actually younger than some of the grandparents watching the games today.
What’s Next for the People's Team?
Right now, Chile is in a tough spot. The big stars are retiring or slowing down. The new crop of players is struggling to fill those massive shoes.
But the brand of La Roja de Todos persists.
The goal now isn't just to find another Alexis Sánchez. It’s to maintain that "Bielsa-ist" spirit of attacking regardless of the opponent. If the team becomes boring or defensive, they lose the right to the nickname. The "of everyone" part requires a certain level of bravery on the pitch to keep the public invested.
How to Follow the Team Like a Local
If you want to actually understand the hype, you have to do more than check the scores on an app.
- Watch the Pre-game: In Chile, the national anthem is sung acapella after the music stops. It’s bone-chilling. That is the essence of the nickname.
- Follow the "Prensa Garapienta": The local sports press is brutal and passionate. Reading the commentary in La Tercera or watching TNT Sports Chile gives you the raw, unpolished version of the narrative.
- Look at the Youth Ranks: Keep an eye on the U-20 and U-17 squads. The future of the "Red of Everyone" depends on whether the local league (Campeonato Nacional) can actually produce talent again.
The reality is that La Roja de Todos is currently a team in search of a new identity. The old one was so successful that it’s casting a giant shadow over everything else. But that’s the beauty of sports. Every qualifying cycle is a chance to reset the clock and remind the country why they fell in love with a color in the first place.
To truly engage with the team today, focus on the transition. Don't just mourn the 2015 squad. Watch how the newer players handle the pressure of the red shirt in high-altitude games in Quito or the humidity of Barranquilla. That’s where the next chapter of this story is being written. Support the local clubs like Colo-Colo, Universidad de Chile, and Universidad Católica, as they are the feeding ground for the national dream. The connection between the domestic league and the national team is the heartbeat of the "of everyone" philosophy.