The Copa Libertadores is one of the most important football tournaments in South America. Clubs from several countries take part in this competition, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and more. Often Argentine or Brazilian paintings reach the final stage. With other teams, however, participation is more discreet.
Furthermore, at the regional level South AmericaThere are three countries whose teams have not yet been able to lift the coveted trophy. The best they achieved was second place. Know what they are.
Which South American countries have never won the Copa Libertadores?
Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia are the three nations in the South of America whose clubs have never managed to become champions Libertadores Cup.
Of the Peruvian teams, only two managed to finish second. One of them is Sporting Cristal. The Rimense club reached the final in 1997 but lost 1-0 to Cruzeiro of Brazil.
The Peruvian club Sporting Cristal finished second in the 1997 Copa Libertadores. Photo: Libero
The Universitario de Deportes was also on the verge of glory in 1972. This year the club lost to Argentina's Independiente, which was its best participation in the international tournament.
In Bolivia, no team has yet managed to finish second in the Copa Libertadores. Their teams reached the quarter-finals the furthest in the championship. This happened in 2023, the year in which Bolívar reached the said elimination phase after defeating Athletico Paranaense. However, their hopes of becoming finalists ended after losing to Brazil's Sport Club Internacional.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan clubs could only reach the quarterfinals. The Venezuelan teams that made it to this elimination stage include Minervén FC, Estudiantes de Mérida, Deportivo Táchira and Caracas FC.
Bolívar reached the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores in 2023. Photo: Bein Sports
Which South American team has won the Copa Libertadores the most times?
He South America team The one who has won the Copa Libertadores the most times is Independiente from Argentina. According to Statista, this squad has a total of seven trophies. This surpasses its competitor Boca Juniors, who won this championship six times. Below is the ranking of the most cupbearers: