Brazil’s incomparable power in the most Chilean Copa Libertadores

After three previous phases, it is the “real” Copa Libertadores. Next Tuesday begins the group stage of the most important club tournament on the continent, with 32 teams from the 10 Conmebol countries. The 2024 edition is already historic for Chilean football since in this case it has the highest representation in its history: four teams (Huachipato, Cobresal, Palestino and Colo Colo).

It appeared as a balm for an industry full of complications and shortcomings, and which had a turbulent start to the season for various reasons: from the disorder of the sixth foreigner, to violence in the stadiums.

From another point of view, it is a slight improvement in the image of a competition installed for years in a back part of the continental concert. An example of this is that This is the eighth Conmebol league (and the 37th in the world) according to the 2023 ranking of the International Federation of History and Statistics, surpassing Bolivia and Venezuela exclusively.

The kick-off will take place in Calama. The first match will take place between Cobresal and Barcelona from Ecuador , at the Zorros del Desierto stadium (7:00 p.m.), where the minors will host the Cup. The next day, it will be the turn of Huachipato and Colo Colo. They will respectively host the Estudiantes de La Plata and Cerro Porteño. The last to take the stage will be Palestino. On Thursday, they will face Bolívar, in Rancagua. In representation by country in the group stage, Chile is only surpassed by the giants on this side of the world: Brazil (7) and Argentina (5).

The evidence highlights a general feeling in this competition: the supremacy and power of the Brazilians. It is inevitable to designate the teams of the South American giant as the main candidates to maintain the scepter, for example the economic factor which implies greater investment in the team and the presence of elite players. The current monarch, Fluminense (rival of the Cacique), has the luxury of having Marcelo, several times champion with Real Madrid, as left back. This is just one example among several others.

The data is on the table. The three most valuable teams of Libertadores 2024 are Brasileirao, by taking information from Transfermarkt. Number one is Palmeiras, whose valuation stands at €209.7 million ($226.5 million). Next is Flamengo, with 172.6 million euros. The podium is completed by Fluminense, with 106.6 million European currencies (see infographic). Seven of the ten most valuable teams in the Cup come from Brazil. It is worth adding Atlético Mineiro, Sao Paulo, Gremio and Botafogo. The one that manages to establish itself among the Brazilians is River Plate, whose workforce is approaching 100 million in European currency.

The reality of Chileans is totally different, immersed in more earthly and even austere situations. With 27.7 million euros, Colo Colo is ranked as the fifteenth most valuable club in the Libertadores, surpassing in the ranking teams such as Liga de Quito (26.2), Cerro Porteño (25.2), Nacional de Uruguay (23.5) and Junior de Barranquilla (23.3). Huachipato appears 26th with 13.3 million euros, while Palestino is 29th with 10 million.

Looking at the valuation rankings from bottom to top, Cobresal is the third “cheapest” in the Cup: 9.7 million euros. The minors only outperform the two teams from Venezuela: Deportivo Táchira (7.6) and Caracas (6.6). From a financial point of view, the distance between Brazilians and the rest is gigantic. An example: the total value of Gustavo Huerta’s Cobresal is equivalent to just over 10% of the valuation of Sao Paulo, one of its Group B rivals.

Endrick It was one of the most astonishing appearances in prolific Brazilian football. At 17, the Palmeiras striker already lives in the adult team (FIFA recently converted him to England and Spain) and is sold to Real Madrid, a club he will join when he comes of age. The teenager who plays for Verdao is the most valuable footballer in the Copa Libertadores: 45 million euros.

Among Chilean footballers, the most sought after is Erick Pulgar. The Flamengo midfielder is valued at 6 million euros and is one of the permanent players in coach Tite’s structure, one of the big candidates for the league title. Fla, who will face Palestino in the group stage, was strengthened by elements such as Uruguayan national teams Matías Viña and Nicolás De la Cruz.

Two players then appear at 5 million euros. One is Paulo Diaz, pillar of the River Plate defense of Martín Demichelis (another serious competitor). The other is Damian Pizarro, who played little or nothing with Jorge Almirón in Colo Colo.

The Libertadores 2024 promise juicy checks. “It will be the best paid tournament, with the highest prize money, in the world,” announced Conmebol president Alejandro Domínguez during the draw. In fact, the South American Confederation increased prices. For each game won, each team will win $330,000. But the biggest progression took place during the final: the champion will win no less than 23 million dollars.

In addition to the four local teams, there will also be a significant legion of Chileans in the foreign teams: Nicolás Ramírez (Barcelona), Matías Catalán and Bruno Barticciotto (Talleres), Rodrigo Ureña (Universitario), Erick Pulgar (Flamengo), Matías Fernández . (Independiente del Valle), Eduardo Vargas (Atlético Mineiro) and Paulo Díaz (River Plate). Added Javier Altamirano (Students), who was released in Argentina after his health crisis.