FC Schalke 04 is one of Germany's most storied football institutions, currently residing in the 2. Bundesliga after a challenging period. Based in Gelsenkirchen, the club calls the iconic Veltins-Arena home. Founded in 1904, Schalke's royal blue and white colors are recognized across the continent. The club's history is deeply intertwined with the industrial Ruhr region, with its early success in the 1930s and 1940s earning it the nickname "The Knappen," or the miners. Schalke's peak era came in the late 1990s and early 2000s, winning the UEFA Cup in 1997 and several DFB-Pokal titles, with legends like Olaf Thon and Marc Wilmots leading the charge. The modern era has been turbulent, featuring a dramatic relegation from the Bundesliga in 2021, but the club retains a massive, fervent fanbase known for creating an incredible atmosphere. With a focus on rebuilding under a new sporting project, Schalke aims to return to the top flight where its history demands it belongs.