The 55th edition of the Copa Libertadores is underway with 38 teams looking to claim the biggest competition in South American football.
For fans of the beautiful game living outside the continent, following the tournament closely can present something of a challenge. To begin with, the lack of television coverage outside of South America means those wanting to catch the action are often forced to rely on streaming the games. Then there’s the language barrier (unless you’re fluent in Spanish), the lack of familiarity with many teams (how much do you really know about Oriente Petrolero of Bolivia?), and the fact that footy fans have enough on their plate with domestic leagues in Europe and the Champions League (who has time to follow another competition!?).
It’s easy to see why the neutral supporter isn’t inclined to watch the Copa Libertadores.
But anyone who has given the tournament a minute of their time will tell you that it’s among the most sensational in all of football. With no disrespect to the Champions League, the entertainment value provided by the competition is unparalleled. Playing in some of the most intimidating atmospheres you can imagine, youngsters are looking to make a name for themselves and catch the eyes of European clubs, while veterans are looking to grab one more international trophy before calling it quits. There’s almost never a dull match and you’re guaranteed to be hooked as soon as you give it your attention.
But if you’re still not convinced, here are five reasons why you should follow the 2014 Copa Libertadores:
A glimpse into the stars of tomorrow
One of the best things about watching the Copa Libertadores is that it provides a sneak peek at players who will eventually be playing in the UEFA Champions League. The tournament is a breeding ground for European football as new, young, and exciting players look to perform well and land a deal with a top club in England, Spain, Germany, Italy, etc.
Recent tournaments have helped launch the European careers of players such as Neymar, Robinho, Hernanes, Bernard, and Dorlan Pabon to name a few. But arguably the greatest example of a breakout performance at the Copa Libertadores is Hernan Crespo in 1996. Crespo, who was only 20 years old at the time, capped off an impressive tournament with two goals in the final against America de Cali to give River Plate its second-ever title.
Of course, the result was an instant move to Parma for Crespo, a then-world transfer record move to Lazio, and eventually a number of Serie A titles with Inter Milan.
Who will experience a breakout performance at this year's tournament?
Samba Futebol
The last few years have seen a financial gap open up between Brazilian clubs and those from the rest of South America. Sponsorship and TV rights have led to revenue pouring into the sport in Brazil, resulting in higher-quality players joining Brazilian clubs and a better product on the field.
If the lower quality of play was something keeping you from following the Copa Libertadores, Brazilian teams will point you in the right direction. It's no coincidence that the last four winners of the tournament have come from Brazil, and it wouldn't be surprising if the country produced this year's champion yet again.
You'll also likely recognize a number of Brazilian players at this year's Copa Libertadores. Between the six clubs from Brazil that are competing (Atletico Mineiro, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Gremio, Atletico Paranaense, Botafogo), you'll be able to see Ronaldinho, Gilberto Silva, Julio Baptista, Andre Santos, and Elano among others. Unfortunately, the opportunity to see Clarence Seedorf at the tournament is gone after he recently left Botafogo to accept the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of managing his former club A.C. Milan.
One more chance to see Ronaldinho
This year's Copa Libertadores could mark the last time we see Ronaldinho compete on the continental stage.
At 33 years of age, the Atletico Mineiro superstar is obviously in the final stages of his career, and you should take every opportunity you can to watch him dazzle before it's too late.
Ronaldinho was instrumental in helping Atletico Mineiro claim the Copa Libertadores in 2013, serving as the engine of the team's attack while also notching four goals himself. We can only hope that we see more golazos like this one in 2014:
Prime-time action
This one applies directly to fans in the Western Hemisphere.
With the Copa Libertadores, you won't find yourself having to set an alarm to catch any games and you won't have to hide your computer screen from your boss at work in the afternoon. All games take place in the evening between Tuesday and Thursday, providing the perfect way to relax after a long day at wherever it is you work.
Matches are also far more spread out in the Copa Libertadores than they are in the Champions League. Whereas you're forced to choose between about eight games that begin at the same time in Europe, the South American tournament spreads out each matchday's games over three days with varying kickoff times.
Recibimientos and avalanchas
Saying that football grounds provide the best atmosphere in sport is stating the obvious. But the environment of a Copa Libertadores game is really on another level than what you'll see during the Champions League or anywhere else on Earth.
Barras bravas and torcidas (the fanatic supporters' groups as their known in South America) inject visually-stunning atmospheres into the games that can be felt right through your TV or computer screen.
Two of the more popular traditions you'll be able to see supporters initiate at the Copa Libertadores are the recibimiento and the avalancha.
The recibimiento is a means of welcoming the home team when they take the field while also striking fear into the hearts of the visitors. A combination of flares, smoke bombs, fireworks, confetti, toilet paper, and chanting are the norm, but each club usually puts its own unique spin on the display.
Some of the most famous recibimientos in the history of the Copa Libertadores include River Plate welcoming America de Cali in the 1996 final:
... and Fluminense welcoming Liga de Quito in the 2008 final:
Meanwhile, the avalancha is how a number of supporters' groups across South America choose to celebrate goals. The idea is basically to push the person in front of you, who pushes the person in front of them and so forth, until an avalanche of human beings surges towards the field. It's not a celebration that's unique to South America, but few teams make it look as awesome as Gremio, for example:
Follow the 2014 Copa Libertadores here
As the Copa Libertadores progresses, I'll be posting analysis, highlights, and everything else you need to keep up with the most entertaining tournament in club football.
