In Santiago, a football club carries the soul of a nation. Founded by Palestinian immigrants in 1920, Club Palestino stands as a living emblem of identity, resistance, and pride. Photographer Mauricio Orellana captures the spirit of a team where football becomes family—and every match, a reminder that heritage endures

---

“Club Palestino is different from any other team because it’s not just a football club—it’s a symbol of identity,” says photographer Mauricio Orellana, who recently visited La Cisterna Stadium in Santiago to capture the club in action.

Founded in 1920 by Palestinian immigrants in Chile, Palestino represents the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East. “The club carries not only sporting pride but also a cultural and political message,” Orellana explains. “You see it in the colours, in the design of the shirt, even in the number ‘1’ on the back shaped like historic Palestine. That fusion of football and cultural heritage is what makes Palestino stand out in world football.”

It was precisely that connection between sport and identity that drew Orellana to the stadium. “That’s what inspired me to capture these moments,” he says. “There’s a family atmosphere here, a sense of unity that endures despite any result or adversity.”

For Orellana, documenting Palestino wasn’t about the spectacle of the match—it was about the spirit in the stands. “Although it’s not a widely popular team, Palestino isn’t hated by any rival,” he reflects. “It’s a neutral club that’s carved out its own place in the history of Chile, Latin America, and the world.”

What he found was something rare in modern football—a community defined not by division, but by solidarity. Families, children, and elders all gather under the same colours, waving the Palestinian flag with pride and purpose.

“It’s important to make visible the sporting reality on the other side of the world,” Orellana says. “Because even when they try to erase a people, the club and the Palestinian community will always remain present.”

---

All images by Mauricio Orellana

To follow Mauricio on Instagram, please click here.