At GOAL, readers discover how many plaques adorn the Copa Libertadores trophy, a symbol of South American club greatness.
Over the years, the Libertadores Cup trophy has seen many visual updates. In its early form, the trophy carried 18 metal plates set into a wooden base, each plate representing a continental champion. While meaningful, the design was heavy and not particularly elegant in appearance.
For fans and historians alike, the 2023 Copa Libertadores Final remains a focal point of the competitive season—an event that marks the culmination of a long journey for clubs across the continent. The final chapters of this event are frequently revisited by fans who want to understand how the trophy’s appearance mirrors the evolution of the competition.
In 1977 the trophy reached capacity, prompting a reorganization: an extra column was added and the existing column was shifted to accommodate more winners. This pattern continued through 1983 when another column emerged, and again in 1994 when the trophy was refilled to reflect the growing tally of champions. A key modernization occurred in 2004 with a redesigned base to better support the extra space. The most noticeable update came in 2009, when the traditional plates were replaced and aligned to use the same material and size for a cohesive look.
Today, the trophy features seven columns with ample capacity to welcome future champions through 2031. Once the space is filled, the trophy will likely undergo another upgrade to recognize new clubs that lift the cup, ensuring the symbol remains a living record of Libertadores history.
Source: GOAL