In the South American club league system,South American Cup is considered the second largest playground, only after Copa Libertadores in terms of stature and prestige. However, this tournament still brings a distinct appeal thanks to the fierce competition, surprise and important role in improving the level of football in the region. Over time, Copa Sudamericana has increasingly affirmed its position in the world football village and become a worthy conquest target of many large and small football teams across the South American continent. Let’s join Luong Son TV Learn about this tournament through the article below.
The formation and development process of Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana was first held in 2002 by South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), with the aim of creating an additional continental tournament for clubs that have not yet qualified for the Copa Libertadores. This is considered the South American equivalent of the European UEFA Europa League.
Initially, the tournament only had the participation of a few teams from CONMEBOL member countries. However, over time, the number of participating teams has expanded significantly, and the competition format has also been continuously improved to increase competitiveness and attractiveness. Since 2017, teams eliminated from the Copa Libertadores group stage have also been transferred to Copa Sudamericana, which not only increases the professional quality but also helps create many attractive confrontations.
Competition format and tournament scale
The Copa Sudamericana currently consists of three main stages: the preliminary round (involving teams that did not qualify for the Libertadores), the group stage, and the knockout rounds. Notably, the knockout round will see teams eliminated from the Copa Libertadores enter, making the race for the title even more intense.
Qualifying and knockout matches are played over a home-and-away format, while the final from 2019 onwards has been held as a single match at a neutral venue, to increase professionalism and attract global media attention.
Memorable teams and moments in Copa Sudamericana history
Although it does not have as long a history as the Copa Libertadores, the Copa Sudamericana has seen many excellent clubs win the title and create unforgettable impressions. Teams such asBoca Juniors, Independiente (Argentina), Sao Paulo, Athletico Paranaense (Brazil)goodLDU Quito (Ecuador)has been crowned and left impressive achievements.
One of the most emotional moments was the championship ofChapecoense in 2016. After the horrific plane crash that killed most of the team members, CONMEBOL awarded the club an honorary championship title as a way to commemorate and honor the noble spirit of football.
The role and significance of Copa Sudamericana for South American football
Copa Sudamericana is not only a place for teams to compete for titles but also an opportunity for mid-level clubs to assert themselves in the continental arena. This is a springboard for many small teams to rise up and create surprises against the traditional giants.
In addition, the tournament also plays an important role in promoting the equal development of football in member countries, especially in football countries that are not really strong such as Bolivia, Venezuela or Paraguay. The teams here have more opportunities to compete, accumulate experience and contribute to improving the professional quality of the region.
Opportunity to participate in other major tournaments
Another attraction of Copa Sudamericana is that the champion team will get a ticket to participate in theSouth American Recopa– the Super Cup match against the Copa Libertadores champion. In addition, the Copa Sudamericana champion also has the right to participate in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores next season, opening up the opportunity to compete at a higher level.
This makes the tournament even more valuable, not only because of the title but also because of the great opportunities that come with it for teams to reach international level.
Increasing media and commercial value
In recent years, the Copa Sudamericana has seen strong media and commercial growth. Thanks to the expansion of broadcasting on digital platforms and international television, the tournament has reached a large audience outside of South America, especially in Asia and North America – where South American football fan communities are large.
Sponsors and commercial partners are also beginning to see the Copa Sudamericana as an effective promotional channel, thereby increasing investment and long-term sponsorship. This helps the tournament improve the quality of organization, attract more talent and develop sports infrastructure in many countries.
Challenges and future prospects
Despite many positive steps forward, Copa Sudamericana still faces a number of challenges such as the difference in level between teams, a tight schedule and the pressure of competing with Copa Libertadores. However, with professional management from CONMEBOL and strong potential for development in the digital age, this tournament is expected to continue to expand in scale, improve quality and affirm its own position.
In the future, the Copa Sudamericana could become a more comprehensive playground, attracting more young talents and teams from domestic leagues with potential but not yet receiving due attention.
Conclude
South American CupNot only is it the second-tier tournament of South American football, but it is also increasingly asserting its important role in promoting the even development of regional football. With its attractive format, high competitiveness and increasing value in terms of media and commerce, Copa Sudamericana will certainly continue to be an attractive meeting place for football fans around the world for many years to come. Access to luongson tv trực tiếp bóng đá o get information about these exciting tournaments.