SAO PAULO (AP) — South American football’s most consequential rivalry reaches its zenith on Saturday as Brazilian powerhouses Flamengo and Palmeiras face off in the Copa Libertadores final, each pursuing a historic fourth continental championship.
The two clubs have dominated both Brazilian and South American football throughout the past decade, collectively securing four of the last six Copa Libertadores titles while simultaneously battling for domestic league supremacy. Since 2019, both squads have entered every tournament edition as overwhelming favorites, representing a remarkable transformation from their financially unstable beginnings earlier in the 2010s.
According to Transfermarkt’s player valuation data, the combined worth of both rosters exceeds $470 million, reflecting their status as economic powerhouses capable of attracting top international talent. Flamengo’s tactical approach will heavily feature former Atletico Madrid players Samuel Lino and Saúl Ñíguez, alongside experienced campaigners including ex-Italy midfielder Jorginho and Uruguayan international Giorgián de Arrascaeta.
Palmeiras’ Portuguese manager Abel Ferreira faces mounting pressure to secure his third Copa title amid domestic league struggles that see Flamengo poised to claim Brazil’s national championship. Ferreira pins his hopes on emerging striker Vitor Roque, formerly of Barcelona’s youth system, to deliver offensive brilliance in Lima.
The final carries personal redemption narratives, particularly for midfielder Andreas Pereira whose catastrophic error in the 2021 final resulted in Palmeiras’ extra-time victory. Now representing Palmeiras, the 29-year-old Brazilian international recalls the intense backlash following that match: “People wanted to destroy the bus, attack my house. We had to leave the bus early and get another car.”
The victorious club will claim Brazil’s 25th Copa Libertadores title, matching Argentina’s continental record, while securing $24 million in prize money and qualification for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. The runner-up receives $7 million, with both teams earning a spot in the Recopa against Copa Sudamericana champions Lanús.