Copa Libertadores de America

Copa Santander Libertadores is a club competition among top teams from 10 countries of South America plus Mexico. The first edition was officially played in 1960 with Peñarol claiming the the first title. Recently, a 1948 South American Club Competition won by brazilian side Vasco da Gama was officially recognized as the Copa Libertadores predecessor. The competition is organized by CONMEBOL – Confederation Sudamericana de Fubol / South American Football Confederation and Boca Juniors from Argentina were the last Champions after beating Gremio FBPA from Brazil with a 5-0 aggregate victory. The name Copa Libertadores de America is a tribute to the heroes of the independence process of Latin America Countries. They are: Simón Bolívar, Pedro I, José de San Martín, Antonio José de Sucre, Bernardo O'Higgins, José Miguel Carrera and José Gervasio Artigas. But what the participant clubs dream of is supremacy in the sport. Copa Lbertadores Champions are given the opportunity to play against the UEFA Champions League winners to determine the best club of the planet. From 1960 to 1979 a two-leg final was the system used with a possibility of a third game if necessary. Since 1980 a Copa Libertadores title would represent a trip to Japan by the end of the year. Nowadays the top clubs of South America spent great part of their season dreaming with the “Japan Project”.