With incredible numbers in terms of goals, broadcast rights, attendance and international popularity, the Copa Libertadores has conquered its place in the world of soccer. It is the most important soccer tournament and the greatest club competition in South America.
Over its 56 editions and 25 different champions, the winningest club in the competition’s history is the Argentine club Independiente, who have won it no less than seven times, followed by the Argentinian clubs Boca Juniors and Peñarol with 6 and 5 respectively. This fact has helped to contribute even more with the historical rivalry between Brazilian soccer and Argentinian soccer.
Organized by CONMEBOL, the Copa Libertadores is among the three main club competitions in the world (next FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Champions League).
The official name of the competition is Bridgestone Copa Libertadoes (for sponsorship reasons). The practice of putting the main sponsor in the name of the competition began in 1998 with Toyota.
The tournament’s name is a tribute to the top leaders who won the nations of South America their independence: José Artigas, Simon Bolivar, Jose de San Martin, Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva, D. Pedro I, Antonio Jose de Sucre and Bernardo O ' Higgins.
But is not only by these facts this tournament have drawn attention but also for the numbers which has helped to increase even more the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina, with numbers in favor of the quality of argentinian football over brazilian football.
But more than these facts, numbers, and rivalries, there are many interesting things about the Copa Libertadores. Here are the top 10.
Brazil's Corinthians celebrating their first Copa Libertadores title. Photo: meutimao.com
1. The importance of the tournament
The most coveted cup in South America. Photo: Twitter
The Copa Libertadores is ranked in top 5 of the most important international soccer competitions, only behind the FIFA World Cup, Champions League, UEFA Euro and Copa America.
2. The high average attendance
The average attendance currently is 24,362. That makes this tournament the 3rd most attended, only trailing the FIFA World Cup (34,039) and UEFA Champions League (41,112)
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3. It's one of the top 5 of the most watched soccer tournaments
The final of Libertadores da America Cup is broadcasted to over 135 countries around the globe, which guarantees the tournament is among the most watched competitions in the world, only trailing the Copa America, UEFA Euro, UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup.
4. Biggest winners
Being named the Champion of the Copa Libertadores is definitely not an easy task. With 38 clubs, 11 countries, and over 130 matches to reach the glorious championship and guaranteed spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, it requires a lot of effort of each club. Argentina has won more Copa Libertadores than any other country, coming out ahead with 24 Championships followed by Brazil with 17.
5. The fastest goal ever scored
Felix Suarez only needed six seconds to score the fastest goal in 1976, marking the victory of the peruvian club Alianza Lima against Colombia’s Santa Fe. This goal can also be considered the second fastest goal ever scored in the soccer history, behind only Marc Burrows’ effort in 2004 for the amateur English club Cowes Sport. He only needed 2.5 seconds to score his goal.
6. Highest scorers
Although this competition is led by Brazilians and Argentines, when it comes to goals scored the Equatorian Alberto Spencer comes in first with 54 goals scored, mostly for Peñarol. The next two highest scorers are Uruguayan Fernando Moreno and Pedro Rocha with 37 and 36 goals scored respectively. Both of them also scored their goals wearing the Peñarol Jersey.
7. The biggest win
Here comes the Uruguayan club Peñarol again, with the biggest win in the competition’s history. And the victim of the massacre was Venezuelan: on March 15, 1970, the Uruguayan team beat Valencia by a rubber band score of 11 - 2.
8. It's a super competitive competition
In 2 different matches, clubs needed 26 penalty kicks to define the winner. These breathtaking rounds of penalties happened in 2013 with Argentine clubs Newell’s Old Boys and Boca Juniors, and in 1992 with Boca Juniors and the Colombian club America de Cali.
9. The clubs that have reached the most finals
Here once again the Uruguayan club Peñarol comes in first with the Argentina’s Boca Juniors in second. From 56 editions, these clubs reached the final in 10 editions.
10. The coach and the player who have won the most championships
The coach and former player Carlos Bianchi and multi-champion Pancho Sa.
Even after being eliminated on penalties by Newell's Old Boys, Carlos Bianchi continues unabated in the number of Libertadores titles. The legendary Argentine coach has led his team to the first place on the podium four times: in 1994, commanding Vélez Sarsfield, and in 2000, 2001, and 2003 leading Boca Juniors.
The player with the most titles is also Argentinian, Francisco Sá. The defender, known as Pancho Sa, has been champion of the Libertadores an impressive six times - four of them by Independiente de Avellaneda, and other 2 for Boca Juniors.
All these factors contribute to make the Copa Libertadores one of the most exciting tournaments around the globe and one of the most important tournaments in terms of revenue, with its incredible number of broadcasting rights, venue attendance and popularity. This year the tournament has started in February and will finish on July 27th.
We can only wait for another amazing and exciting tournament!
