Copa Libertadores: All-Time Winners & History

The Copa Libertadores is the premier club football tournament in South America, equivalent to the UEFA Champions League in Europe. It has been held annually since 1960 and features the top teams from the continent.

Have a look at the complete list of all the winners of the Copa Libertadores, highlighting the dominance of certain clubs and the tournament's impact on South American football.

Key Takeaways

• Historical Overview: A look at the champions of the Copa Libertadores since its inception.
• Notable Clubs: Highlighting clubs with the most titles.
• Impact on Football: The significance of winning the Copa Libertadores for clubs and players.

1960s: The Beginning

1960 - 1969

• 1960: Peñarol (Uruguay)
• 1961: Peñarol (Uruguay)
• 1962: Santos (Brazil)
• 1963: Santos (Brazil)
• 1964: Independiente (Argentina)
• 1965: Independiente (Argentina)
• 1966: Peñarol (Uruguay)
• 1967: Racing Club (Argentina)
• 1968: Estudiantes (Argentina)
• 1969: Estudiantes (Argentina)

Notable Clubs

• Peñarol: Dominated the early years with three titles in the 1960s.
• Santos: Led by Pelé, Santos won back-to-back titles in 1962 and 1963.
• Independiente: Started their legacy as a powerhouse with two titles in the mid-60s.

1970s: The Rise of Independiente

1970 - 1979

• 1970: Estudiantes (Argentina)
• 1971: Nacional (Uruguay)
• 1972: Independiente (Argentina)
• 1973: Independiente (Argentina)
• 1974: Independiente (Argentina)
• 1975: Independiente (Argentina)
• 1976: Cruzeiro (Brazil)
• 1977: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
• 1978: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
• 1979: Olimpia (Paraguay)

Notable Clubs

• Independiente: Dominated the decade with four consecutive titles from 1972 to 1975.
• Boca Juniors: Established themselves with back-to-back wins in 1977 and 1978.

1980s: Diverse Champions

1980 - 1989

• 1980: Nacional (Uruguay)
• 1981: Flamengo (Brazil)
• 1982: Peñarol (Uruguay)
• 1983: Grêmio (Brazil)
• 1984: Independiente (Argentina)
• 1985: Argentinos Juniors (Argentina)
• 1986: River Plate (Argentina)
• 1987: Peñarol (Uruguay)
• 1988: Nacional (Uruguay)
• 1989: Atlético Nacional (Colombia)

Notable Clubs

• Peñarol and Nacional: Continued to show strength with multiple titles.
• Flamengo and Grêmio: Each won their first titles, expanding Brazil's success in the tournament.

1990s: Brazilian Dominance

1990 - 1999

• 1990: Olimpia (Paraguay)
• 1991: Colo-Colo (Chile)
• 1992: São Paulo (Brazil)
• 1993: São Paulo (Brazil)
• 1994: Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina)
• 1995: Grêmio (Brazil)
• 1996: River Plate (Argentina)
• 1997: Cruzeiro (Brazil)
• 1998: Vasco da Gama (Brazil)
• 1999: Palmeiras (Brazil)

Notable Clubs

• São Paulo: Won back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993 under the leadership of Telê Santana.
• Brazilian Clubs: Dominated the decade with multiple champions like Grêmio, Cruzeiro, and Palmeiras.

2000s: Argentine Revival

2000 - 2009

• 2000: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
• 2001: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
• 2002: Olimpia (Paraguay)
• 2003: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
• 2004: Once Caldas (Colombia)
• 2005: São Paulo (Brazil)
• 2006: Internacional (Brazil)
• 2007: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
• 2008: LDU Quito (Ecuador)
• 2009: Estudiantes (Argentina)

Notable Clubs

• Boca Juniors: Dominated with four titles, becoming a force in the early 2000s.
• LDU Quito: Made history as the first Ecuadorian club to win the title.

2010s: Mixed Success

2010 - 2019

• 2010: Internacional (Brazil)
• 2011: Santos (Brazil)
• 2012: Corinthians (Brazil)
• 2013: Atlético Mineiro (Brazil)
• 2014: San Lorenzo (Argentina)
• 2015: River Plate (Argentina)
• 2016: Atlético Nacional (Colombia)
• 2017: Grêmio (Brazil)
• 2018: River Plate (Argentina)
• 2019: Flamengo (Brazil)

Notable Clubs

• Brazilian Clubs: Continued their success with several wins, including Flamengo's dramatic victory in 2019.
• River Plate: Added two more titles to their tally in 2015 and 2018.

2020s: Recent Winners

2020 - Present

• 2020: Palmeiras (Brazil)
• 2021: Palmeiras (Brazil)
• 2022: Flamengo (Brazil)

Notable Clubs

• Palmeiras: Dominated the early part of the decade with back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2021.
• Flamengo: Continued their success with another title in 2022.

Source: All the Copa Libertadores Winners: A Complete List - DavBet Blog!

Impact on Football

Significance of Winning the Copa Libertadores

Winning the Copa Libertadores is a monumental achievement for South American clubs. It not only brings prestige and recognition but also opens doors for clubs to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup. For players, it can be a stepping stone to international acclaim and lucrative transfers to European clubs.

Influence on Clubs and Players

The tournament has been a showcase for some of the greatest talents in football history, including Pelé, Zico, and Maradona. Clubs that win the Copa Libertadores often see a boost in their reputation and attract top talent, enhancing their competitiveness both domestically and internationally.

Check out also: Top 10 Most Followed Brazilian Football Clubs in the World and on YouTube!

Conclusion

The Copa Libertadores has a rich history of fierce competition and memorable moments. From the early dominance of Peñarol and Independiente to the recent successes of Flamengo and Palmeiras, the tournament continues to be a pinnacle of South American football. Winning the Copa Libertadores is a coveted honor that signifies excellence and brings glory to the clubs and their passionate supporters.