The Football Faithful
·30 novembre 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·30 novembre 2024
The 2024 Copa Libertadores final sees Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo battle it out for the biggest prize in South American football this Saturday night.
The all-Série A showdown will take place in Argentina, meaning the enormous trophy will remain in Brazil for sixth successive year. Ironically, the game takes place at the home of River Plate – the last non-Brazilian club to win the competition all the way back in 2018.
Atletico Mineiro won the Copa Libertadores for the first and only time in 2013 when a certain Ronaldinho was a member of the team. He wished his former side luck from China this week ahead of the game.
Their star man these days is Hulk, the former Porto forward who reportedly married his ex-wife’s niece and are expecting a baby together.
Botafogo have never won the competition in their history, although they did win the now defunct Copa CONMEBOL, akin to the Uefa Cup, in 1993. Remarkably, they were in the Brazilian second tier as recently as 2021 and reached this year’s final despite losing their opening two games in the group stage.
Former Manchester United full-backs Rafael (yes, he’s still going) and Alex Telles are the standout figures for O Glorioso, while ex-Burnley player Vitinho is also in the squad.
Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo will kick off the Copa Libertadores final at 8pm UK time at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Argentina on Saturday, 30 November.
The Copa Libertadores final will be streamed live on BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website in the UK.