The famous phrase coined by Gary Lineker about German preponderance in soccer could be adapted to the Copa Libertadores: in the South American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, it was 11 against 11 and the Argentines always won at the end – to the point where a team from the Tango country made it to the final every year between 1963 and 1979. But if in the all time stats Argentina are still the biggest winners of the competition, with 22 titles, the power seems to be shifting to their biggest rivals.
In the last 10 years, Argentine clubs won the Libertadores five times, while Brazilians claimed three, with Colombia, Paraguay and Ecuador lifting the trophy once. However, nine of the 11 finals had Brazilian sides and in two occasions (2005 and 2006) it was a domestic affair. Something quite remarkable when it is noted that Libertadores rules determine that surviving teams from a country are forced to play each other at least at the semifinals.
In the last 10 years, Argentine clubs won the Libertadores five times, while Brazilians claimed three, with Colombia, Paraguay and Ecuador lifting the trophy once. However, nine of the 11 finals had Brazilian sides and in two occasions (2005 and 2006) it was a domestic affair. Something quite remarkable when it is noted that Libertadores rules determine that surviving teams from a country are forced to play each other at least at the semifinals.
Over the past 20 years, things look even more impressive with a Brazilian representative in 17 finals. Quite a change of scenario in comparison to the first 30 years of the competition, when Brazil claimed a meagre five titles (the current total is 14). What has changed, then? As a start, there is a matter of visibility: contrary to what went on in the 60s, 70s and 80s, the Libertadores has evolved in terms of exposure, something that put the tournament under the spotlight and diluted the war it used to be. Tales of player and supporters intimidation were rife amongst Brazilians and it is no surprise that teams from the country struggled. Also, as a nation of continental dimensions, Brazil also got distracted by its own internal football dynamics – remember that state leagues are still valued by public and media. But a crucial development was the monetisation of the Libertadores: a winner can take home around US$ 5 million, pocket money in the UEFA Champions League but a tempting revenue source in a South American context.
In 2011, there is a Brazilian assault: five clubs in the tournament, including 2010 champions Internacional. Gremio’s 2-1 home defeat to Universidad Catolica (Chile) was an exception in the first leg of the round of 16. Argentina has only two representative, and even the fact that 2009 champions Estudiantes are one of them won’t spare the country some blushes.
It’s also about the economy, stupid. Brazilian clubs are now in a much better financial situation than their counterparts and can attract the best players, including a growing legion of neighbours –the MVP in the 2010 Brazilian league, for example, was Fluminense’s Argentine wizard Dario Conca.
However, Argentine clubs have had the last laugh in all the last five finals against Brazilian opposition. Watch this space…
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