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

For almost four months, as an answer to almost everything, Argentines have used the phrase

.

At the sporting level, within the 'almost', the

appears , that obsession that has become unattainable in recent seasons for Argentina, for which nothing guarantees that the title in Qatar 2022 will be automatically transferred to its clubs, five of which aspire to end the Brazilian hegemony in the maximum continental tournament, which begins this Tuesday and will end in November at the mythical Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

But first, let's review a little history, because the reality is that

, something that confirms the dominance of the Argentines throughout the

in which it was played. the contest (25 against 22).

In first place, as it has been for almost 40 years, is

, with 7 titles and the record of not having lost any final.

is located very close

, with 6, which since 2007 threatens but fails to reach Red.

And in third place is

, with 5, whose last conquest was in 1987.

and

, with 4, add to the list of winners of the Argentine teams.

Just with three, like

and

, the Brazilians appear: the last champion

,

,

,

and

.

Everything changes if you only limit yourself to what happened from 2017 to the present, when the competition greatly increased its economic prizes and the leadership of the Paraguayan Alejandro Domínguez renamed it the "Conmebol Libertadores Cup".

River Plate, the last Argentine team champion of the Copa Libertadores, in 2018. Photo: REUTERS/Sergio Perez

Only

, in the all-time final against Boca in Madrid in 2018, was able to reach the top of the podium in the last six editions.

The other five were for Brazilians:

(2016, vs Lanús),

(2019 vs River and 2022 vs Athletico Paranaense) and

(2020 vs Santos and 2021 vs Flamengo).

Regarding the 24 semifinalists of that period of time,

, with

as the only interloper on two occasions (2017 and 2021).

Even or Uneven Markets?

To try to explain or find arguments that defend these data, you have to talk about economics.

The deteriorated of our country that inevitably reaches football.

A fluctuating dollar that does not allow convincing the best soccer players to come to Argentina, even with the letter of the sense of belonging on the table.

But comparatively and gradually,

, while they know that it is enough for them, for the most part, to get past the group stage.

That is also what the Argentines think, who hope that the opening of the market in the middle of the year will allow them to raise the bar of their squads to face the final table for the title.

Gerson arrived at Flamengo to play in the Club World Cup, last February.

Photo: REUTERS/Susana Vera

Between the six Brazilian representatives they spent just over

, according to data from the specialized

site .

The one who executed the most was the current champion,

, who repatriated

from Marseille in France (15M) and

from Spartak Moscow (7M).

Then follow the runner-up

(8M with Artur -Bragantino- and 1.10 with the Colombian Richard Ríos -Guaraní from Brazil-);

(4.5M with Wanderson -Krasnodar- and 900,000 for Gabriel Baralhas -Atl. Goianense-);

and

(both with 3.1 million);

(1.77M);

and

with barely 500,000 dollars that Fernando's loan from Chapecoense cost him.

And how do Argentines compete?

With his cup lineage and the point in favor that he always stands out for raw material plus preparation.

The one who seems to be best planted, again, is

.

Leader in the Professional League, the "Millionaire" will challenge the height of Bolivia on Tuesday with the renewal promoted by

, who managed to quickly forget the departure of

, twice winner of this tournament in eight years.

River's reinforcements posed with President Jorge Brito and coach Martín Demichelis.

Photo: River Press.

Núñez's team invested just

in four arrivals:

(3.9M),

(2.5M),

(2M) and

(free but with a high contract).

Mariano Herrón, interim in Boca. Photo Juano Tesone - CLARIN

In contrast is

, without DT after the departure of

and with the interim of Mariano Herrón, which does not have an expiration date.

, because

came on loan and Paraguayan

with a free pass.

It aims to pass the group stage and try to strengthen itself fully for the round of 16, in an election year.

Fernando Gago and Gabriel Hauche, in Racing.

Photo MARCELO CARROLL

Racing

is pure illusion.

With a balanced performance under the leadership of

, he spent an amount similar to River (8.46 million dollars) to add

from Unión de Santa Fe and

from Querétaro in Mexico.

photo MARCELO CARROLL - Clarin

Argentinos Juniors

repeats participation with a squad with many club players.

was 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.

On March 1, Patronato lost the Argentine Super Cup against Boca.

Photo: JUAN JOSE GARCIA - CLARIN

A few steps further back seems to be

, which landed for the first time in the Libertadores as champion of the Copa Argentina, where

.

Currently in the First National - they won two, drew 4 and lost another two -, they will not be able to be local in their stadium in the first days, until they complete the arrangements required by Conmebol.

How much money do Argentines receive for playing the Libertadores 2023?

• Per participation are

  U$S 3,000,000

  
  

• Each win in the group stage earns them

  $300,000. 

  
  

• In Round of 16

  U$S 1,250,000 

  
  

• Rooms

  1.7 million

  
  

• Semifinal

  2.3M 

  
  

• runner-up

  7M

  
  

• 18M

  Champion

Libertadores Cup 2023

Group stage.

Group A

Flamengo

(BRA)

Racing Club

(ARG)

Aucas

(ECU)

Nublense

(CHI)

B Group

National

(URU)

International

(BRA)

Metropolitan

(VEN)

Ind. Medellin

(COL)

Group C

Palmeiras

(BRA)

Barcelona SC

(ECU)

Bolivar

(BOL)

Cerro Porteño

(PAR)

Group D

River Plate

(ARG)

Fluminense

(BRA)

The Strongest

(BOL)

Sporting Cristal

(PER)

Group E

Ind. of the Valley

(ECU)

Corinthians

(BRA)

Argentines Jrs.

(ARG)

Liverpool

(URU)

Group F

Boca Juniors

(ARG)

Colo Colo

(CHI)

Monagas

(VEN)

Dept. Pereira

(COL)

Group G

Paranaense

(BRA)

Freedom

(PAR)

Lima Alliance

(PER)

Atletico Mineiro

(BRA)

Group H

Olympia

(PAR)

at.

National

(COL)

Melgar

(PER)

Board of Trustees

(ARG)

Source:

Infographic:

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