30/10/2024 23:28 hrs.
The general history of the Copa Libertadores doesn’t lie Since that first Olympic lap of Penarol back in 1960 until the last consecration of Fluminense in it Maracana, in 2023, beyond Uruguayans and Brazilians, the domain is still Argentine. Despite the latest winds of change.
64 editions of the most important continental club trophy in America have already been played and we are on the verge of defining the 65th season. And in the final sum, The Argentine teams set the trend with 25 titles overall, two more than the neighbors Verdeamarelos who, however, won the last five consecutive editions of the trophy. AND They have the sixth assuredsea Atlético Mineiro or the first Botafogo.
Argentina rules in the Libertadores, however…
Among the seven titles of Independiente, the six of Boca, the four of the semifinalist River and Estudiantes, and the exploits of Racing, Argentinos, Vélez and San Lorenzo, there are all the Argentine cups but… Brazil is approaching us in leaps and bounds. Suddenly, after the legendary and memorable final at the Bernabéu between Millonarios and Xeneizes, the ball always fell in the same direction.
Six years in a row and history does not change
In 2019, Flamengo beat River (2-1); in 2020 (contested in 2021 actually), Palmeiras defeated Santos (1-0); in 2021, the Verdao repeated before Fla carioca (2-1 in extra); in 2022, the Rubronegro took revenge against Athletico Paranaense (1-0) and, it was said, last year, Fluminense de Diniz was able to defeat Boca de Almirón in extra time 2-1.
Unfortunately, in 2024 the story will end in the same way. Atlético Mineiro, technically directed by the Argentine Gabriel Militoeliminated River and got into the final like in 2013 (when was champion after beating Olimpia Paraguayan on penalties); and Botafogo completed the task against Peñarol, despite the 3-1 defeat in Montevideo, after the irreplaceable 5-0 from the first leg a Rio de Janeiro. In Creole, for the sixth consecutive season, Brazil puts -even just- one team in the final. Although it is not a record: it also did it nine editions in a row, from 2005 to 2013.
Botafogo eliminated Peñarol and is going for its first Libertadores (EFE/ Raul Martinez).Sixth title in a row in the Libertadores for the Brazilians, who also ten finalist teams entered out of a total of 12 contenders for the title (River and Boca were the only ones who threatened their hegemony). Furthermore, to further spice up the sad reality, this year we will see two foreign teams competing in the Cup in our country.
Argentina, Brazil and… What else?
After the 48 celebrations accumulated by Argentines and Brazilians (San Pablo, Santos, Gremio, Palmeiras and Flamengo, three; Cruzeiro and Inter de Porto Alegre, dos; Vasco da Gama, Corinthians, Atlético Mineiro and Fluminense, one), the podium is completed with Uruguayan teams. Bah, with two: Peñarol (5) and Nacional (3). And beyond, what?
Colombia and Paraguay continue in the sweet wait. There are two Olympic rounds for Atlético Nacional de Medellín and another for Once Caldas among the coffee growers. Among the Guaraní, the account is much easier: Olimpia hattrick. Chile adds a title with Colo Colo as well as Ecuador with Liga de Quito. For their part, countries such as Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Mexico – which had its quarter of an hour as a country invited by Conmebol and its teams participated between 1998 and 2016 – have still not been able to have champion representatives.
