What is the Copa Libertadores?
The CONMEBOL Libertadores is South America's club championship — the continent's most coveted title, contested since 1960 by the champions and best-placed clubs of its ten national leagues. Flamengo won a record fourth title in Lima in November 2025, beating Palmeiras 1–0.[1] [2]
How do clubs qualify and how does it work?
Domestic league position and cup titles allocate each country's berths — Brazil and Argentina send the most clubs — into qualifying stages, a 32-team group phase and home-and-away knockouts, capped since 2019 by a single final at a neutral venue. The champion enters the FIFA Club World Cup and the annual Intercontinental playoff.[1] [3]
Since when does it exist?
First played in 1960, named for the libertadores — the liberators of South American independence. Argentina's Independiente hold seven titles; the modern era belongs to Brazil, whose clubs have won every edition since 2019.[1] [2]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Flamengo | Final: Lima — 1–0 vs Palmeiras (record 4th title) |
| 2024 | Botafogo | Final: Buenos Aires — 3–1 vs Atlético Mineiro |
| 2023 | Fluminense | Final: Rio de Janeiro (Maracanã) — 2–1 vs Boca Juniors |
| 2022 | Flamengo | Final: Guayaquil — 1–0 vs Athletico Paranaense |
| 2021 | Palmeiras | Final: Montevideo — 2–1 vs Flamengo |
| 2020 | Palmeiras | Final: Rio de Janeiro (Maracanã) — 1–0 vs Santos |
| 2019 | Flamengo | Final: Lima — 2–1 vs River Plate |
| 2018 | River Plate | Final: Madrid — 3–1 vs Boca Juniors |
| 2017 | Grêmio | 2–1 agg. vs Lanús |
| 2016 | Atlético Nacional | 2–1 agg. vs Independiente del Valle |
Champions of the last ten editions; one-off neutral final since 2019.
Why does it matter?
It is the trophy every South American footballer grows up on — the proving ground where the continent's stars are made before Europe calls, and the competition whose intensity is a byword in the world game.[1] [2]
References
- CONMEBOL — Copa Libertadores official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Copa Libertadores. Accessed August 2026.
- FIFA — Club World Cup. Accessed August 2026.