The Copa Libertadores, an unattainable obsession?: what do the five Argentine teams have to stop Brazil’s hegemony

For almost four months, as an answer to almost everything, Argentines have used the “we are world champions”. On a sporting level, within the ‘almost’, appears the Libertadores Cupthat obsession that has become unattainable in recent seasons for Argentina, for which nothing guarantees that the title in Qatar 2022 will automatically be transferred to their clubs, five of which aspire to end Brazilian hegemony in the top continental tournament, which begins this Tuesday and will end in November in the legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

But first, let’s review a little history, because this is the reality there is no Brazilian team that has more than three Libertadores titles on its shelfsomething that confirms the dominance of Argentines throughout the 62 seasons in which the match was held (25 against 22).

First, as it has been for nearly 40 years, it is Independent of Avellaneda, with 7 titles and the record of not having lost any final. It is very close Mouth, with 6, which since 2007 threatens but cannot reach Red. And in third place there is Penarolwith 5, whose last conquest dates back to 1987. River AND students of La Platawith 4, they add themselves to the list of winners of Argentine teams.

Recently with three, just like Olympia of Paraguay AND Montevideo national teamthe Brazilians appear – the last champion flamenco, St. Paul, palmeiras, Guild AND Saints.

Everything changes if we limit ourselves to what happened from 2017 to today, when the competition significantly increased its economic prizes and the leadership of the Paraguayan Alejandro Domínguez renamed it the “Conmebol Libertadores Cup”.

Only River, in the all-time final against Boca in Madrid in 2018, has managed to get on the top step of the podium in the last six editions. The other five were for Brazilians: Guild (2016, against Lanús), flamenco (2019 vs. River & 2022 vs. Athletico Paranaense) e palmeiras (2020 against Santos and 2021 against Flamengo).

As for the 24 semifinalists from that period, 13 were Brazilian and 9 Argentinian teamswith Barcelona from Ecuador as the only snooper on two occasions (2017 and 2021).

Even or irregular markets?

To try to explain or find arguments that defend these data, we need to talk about the economy. The deterioration of our country that inevitably comes to football. A fluctuating dollar that does not allow the best players to come to Argentina, even with the letter of belonging on the table.

But relatively and gradually, the Brazilian teams have been strengthened with internationally and nationally renowned figures, while they know it’s enough for them, for the most part, to get around the group stage. The Argentines think so too, who hope that the opening of the market in mid-year will allow them to raise the bar for their teams to face the final table for the title.

Among the six Brazilian representatives have spent just over 40 million dollarsaccording to the data of the specialized site transfer market. The one who performed the most was the defending champion, flamencowho repatriated to gerson from Marseilles in France (15M) e Ayrton Lucas from Spartak Moscow (7M). Then follow the runner up palmeiras (8M with Artur -Bragantino- and 1.10 with the Colombian Richard Ríos -Guaraní from Brazil-); Porto Alegre International (4.5M with Wanderson -Krasnodar- and 900,000 for Gabriel Baralhas -Atl. Goianense-); fluminense AND Atletico Mineiro (both with 3.1 million); corinthians (1.77 million); AND Paranese Athletic with just $500,000 Fernando’s loan from Chapecoense cost him.

And how do the Argentines compete? With its lineage in the cup and the plus point that always stands out for raw material plus preparation. What appears to be best planted, again, is River. Leader in the professional league, the “millionaire” will challenge the height of Bolivia this Tuesday with the renewal he promotes Martin Demicheliswho managed to quickly forget the departure of Marcellus Gallardotwo-time winner of this tournament in eight years.

Núñez’s group invested little more than $8,000,000 in four arrivals: Matías Kranevitter (3.9 million), Enzo Diaz (2.5 million), Ignacio Fernandez (2M) and Solomon Rondon (free but with high contract).

On the contrary it is Mouthwithout DT after the departure of Hugh Ibarra and with Mariano Herrón’s internship, which has no deadline. He didn’t spend in the last transfer marketWhy Michael Merentiel Came on loan and the Paraguayan Bruno Valdez with the free pass. He aims to get through the group stage and try to fully strengthen for the round of 16, in an election year.

racing it is pure illusion. With balanced performance under the guidance of Fernando Gagospent a similar amount to River ($8.46 million) to add Juan Ignacio Nardoni by the Union de Santa Fe and Gabriel Rojas of Queretaro, Mexico.

Young Argentines repeat participation with a team with many club players. Gabriel Milito It has been reinforced with loans (such as those of Matías Vera, Fabricio Domínguez or Leonardo Heredia) and free passes (Facundo Ferreyra and Alexis Martín Arias). It has one of the toughest pools in the competition.

A few steps further back it seems to be Paraná Councilarrived for the first time in the Libertadores as champion of the Argentine Cup, where eliminated River and Boca. Currently in the first national team – they have won two, drawn 4 and lost another two – they will not be able to be local in their stadium in the early days, until they have completed the agreements required by Conmebol.

How much money do Argentines get to play the Libertadores 2023?

• By participation I am US$3,000,000
• Every win in the group stage gives them 300,000 US dollars
• in the round of 16 USD 1,250,000
• Rooms 1.7 million
• Semi final 2.3m
• runner up 7M
• Sample 18M