Best Libertadores Winners by Club: A Complete Review

From 1960 through 2022, the continent’s premier club trophy has been claimed by 25 different institutions.

The Copa Libertadores de América began in 1960 and crowned a new champion each year up to 2022. Flamengo captured the title in 2022, defeating Paranaense 1-0 to seal its third Libertadores trophy and stand among the most celebrated clubs in the Americas.

GOAL presents a comprehensive look at every winner of the continent’s top club honor, listed below in chronological order of triumph.

7. INDEPENDIENTE (ARGENTINA)

Independiente holds the record for most Libertadores titles with seven triumphs: 1964, 1965, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1984.

6. BOCA JUNIORS (ARGENTINA)

In the 21st century Boca Juniors reached multiple peaks, lifting the trophy in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2007. Earlier, the club won in 1977 and 1978, bringing its total to six.

5. PEÑAROL (URUGUAY)

Peñarol was the first club to lift the continental prize, a title contested since 1960. The Uruguayan side added victories in 1961, 1966, 1982 and 1987.

4. RIVER PLATE (ARGENTINA)

In a memorable final held in Madrid, River Plate claimed its fourth Libertadores title with a 5–3 aggregate win over Boca Juniors. The club previously won in 1986, 1996 and 2015.

4. ESTUDIANTES (ARGENTINA)

Juan Sebastián Verón led Estudiantes as the La Plata club earned its fourth Libertadores trophy in 2009, mirroring its earlier triumphs in 1968, 1969 and 1970.

3. SANTOS (BRAZIL)

With Pelé as a centerpiece, Santos claimed back‑to‑back titles in 1962 and 1963. The club waited until 2011 to lift the cup again, triumphing with Neymar in the spotlight.

3. FLAMENGO (BRAZIL)

Flamengo added its third Libertadores title by defeating Paranaense in 2022, after a dramatic 2019 final against River Plate. The club also celebrated with Zico in 1981.

3. OLIMPIA (PARAGUAY)

Olimpia of Paraguay secured Libertadores glory three times, in 1979, 1990 and 2002, establishing itself as one of the continent’s most storied clubs.

3. NACIONAL (URUGUAY)

Nacional joined the three‑time champions club list with Libertadores titles in 1971, 1980 and 1988.

3. SÃO PAULO (BRAZIL)

São Paulo defeated Newell’s Old Boys in the 1992 final to win their first Libertadores, then added titles in 1993 and 2005.

3. PALMEIRAS (BRAZIL)

Palmeiras lifted the trophy in 1999 as Brazilian teams dominated the late 20th century. More than two decades later, they won again in 2020 and followed with a consecutive title in 2021, beating Flamengo.

3. GRÊMIO (BRAZIL)

Gremio of Porto Alegre reached the summit with Libertadores crowns in 1983, 1995 and 2017.

2. ATLÉTICO NACIONAL (COLOMBIA)

Atlético Nacional emerged as a strong challenger with its Libertadores title in 2016, after its prior triumph in 1989.

2. CRUZEIRO (BRAZIL)

Crucial moments abounded as Cruzeiro dashed River Plate’s party in 1976 and added another Libertadores crown in 1997.

2. INTERNACIONAL (BRAZIL)

From Brazil, Internacional claimed Libertadores glory in the 21st century, with titles in 2006 and 2010.

1. RACING CLUB (ARGENTINA)

Racing Club, a storied Argentine side, captured its lone Libertadores title in 1967 after competing in several finals before the crown.

1. VASCO DA GAMA (BRAZIL)

In 1998 Vasco da Gama toppled River Plate in the semifinals and went on to beat Barcelona de Guayaquil for the final triumph.

1. ARGENTINOS JUNIORS (ARGENTINA)

Argentinos Juniors, famed as a producer of talent, claimed the Libertadores title in 1985.

1. COLO COLO (CHILE)

Colo Colo of Chile etched its name in history with a Libertadores win in 1991, the country’s sole championship in the competition.

1. VÉLEZ SÁRSFIELD (ARGENTINA)

Vélez Sarsfield, under coach Carlos Bianchi, captured the Libertadores in 1994 after a dominant run during the 1990s.

1. Universidad de Quito (ECUADOR)

The Universidad de Quito reached continental heights with their 2008 Libertadores title, an historic milestone for Ecuadorian football.

1. ONCE CALDAS (COLOMBIA)

Once Caldas shook the football world by defeating Boca Juniors in the 2004 final, marking Colombia’s first Libertadores triumph of note.

1. CORINTHIANS (BRAZIL)

Corinthians joined the club of champions by beating Boca Juniors in the 2012 final.

1. ATHLETICO MINEIRO (BRAZIL)

In 2013, Atlético Mineiro climbed to the top, continuing a string of Brazilian success on the continent.

1. SAN LORENZO (ARGENTINA)

San Lorenzo completed their chapter in 2014 by defeating Nacional of Paraguay to claim the title.

Citation: Goal