Copa Libertadores 2025 Begins In South America
Marlon Freitas of Botafogo celebrates with the trophy after winning the tournament following the ... More Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 Final between Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on November 30, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by)
The Copa Libertadores is the biggest club competition in South America and it returns to action this week. Domestic leagues have kicked off across the continent but now it is time for the most exciting championship of all to come to the party.
The Copa Libertadores pits the strongest teams from each South American soccer league against each other every year and this usually results in epic battles, unrivalled passion and some of the most dramatic soccer scenes on the planet.
Players of Botafogo lift the trophy after winning the final match of the Copa Libertadores between ... More Brazil's Atletico Mineiro and Brazil's Botafogo at Stadium Antonio V. Liberti in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 30, 2024.
Brazilian teams have won seven of the last eight Copa Libertadores titles, and that includes the last six trophies in a row. Why would anything change this year? The truth is that as well as being the biggest nation and economy in South America, private investment in Brazilian soccer clubs over the last four or five years has taken their dominance to the next level.
For better or worse this has meant that just once in the last eight years has a Brazilian side not been present in the Copa Libertadores final. The last four champions have all been different winners from Brazil, including last season when Botafogo won its first ever championship.
This year Flamengo and Palmeiras are favorites for the domestic Brazilian titles and the Copa Libertadores, but Botafogo will have its say in the race too. Internacional and
São Paulo are also amongst the top teams and so it wouldn't be a shock for this title to be brought straight back home to Brazil.
Head Coach of Racing Gustavo Costas celebrates with players after winning the Recopa Sudamericana ... More 2025 by winning the second leg match between Botafogo of Brazil and Racing Club of Argentina at Estadio OlÌmpico Nilton Santos on February 27, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Andre Ricardo/Sports)
Aside from the Brazilian teams, it's usually clubs from Argentina that come the closest to Copa Libertadores success. Teams from Argentina have managed to reach four of the last eight finals but only in 2018 could River Plate lift the trophy, in an all-Argentinian final against fierce rivals Boca Juniors.
This year the likes of River Plate and Racing Club are the most likely sides to bring the trophy back to Argentina instead of Brazil. Racing Club won the Copa Sudamericana last season, and they defeated Botafogo in this season's 'Recopa' just a few weeks ago. A statement victory that helps to prove that, with a bit of luck, Racing can go all the way.
River Plate has the advantage of playing at the biggest stadium in South America in front of a fearsome home crowd. The club boasts an excellent and well mixed squad; full of young talent and some experienced veterans. Marcelo Gallardo, the River Plate coach, is in his second spell with the club. The first time around he led River Plate to two Copa Libertadores titles so his expertise is another reason why River is in with a chance.
Marcelo Gallardo coach of River Plate looks on before a match between River Plate and Sarmiento as ... More part of Liga Profesional 2022 at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on July 31, 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by)
A lot of the magic of the Copa Libertadores comes in the madness of the group stages. Bolivian teams enjoy the home advantage of altitude, and those in the very north of the continent try to use tropical heat to tire out their opponents from the south of the continent. Tempers flare and stadiums erupt in this incredible tournament, that never ceases to entertain.
Last season Peñarol of Uruguay knocked out Flamengo, representatives of six different nations made the knockout stages and an epic final saw a super early red card and a first-time tournament winner in Botafogo. Pre-match firework displays went viral across the globe and goals, cards and penalty shoot-outs were the order of the day. What will shock us in the Copa Libertadores this season?
Fans of Botafogo cheer for their team before the Copa Libertadores Final between Atletico Mineiro ... More and Botafogo at Estadio Mas Monumental, on November 30. (Photo by Federico Peretti/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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