The referee from Colombia who has overseen more Copa Libertadores matches than any other official remains at the center of a career filled with landmark moments and a few remarkable controversies.
For the 2023 final, everything came together with precision: teams confirmed, venue selected, tickets sold. The final decision that still mattered was who would take charge of match control. CONMEBOL chose Wilmar Roldán to officiate the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and Fluminense, set to take place at Maracaná on Saturday, November 4.
At 43, Roldán brings a broad spectrum of international experience. Since his continental debut in 2008, he has presided over 116 Libertadores matches, the most by any South American referee. His career includes appearances at two FIFA World Cups, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018, a FIFA Club World Cup in 2016, and involvement in 17 World Cup qualifying campaigns, a record that underscores a path defined by high stakes and intense scrutiny.
Alongside the achievements, Roldán has faced ongoing scrutiny. A notable episode from the recent arc occurred during the semi final first leg between Boca Juniors and Palmeiras at La Bombonera, when video footage showed him moments before kickoff with his phone in hand, seemingly scanning a section of the stands as the tension rose. This moment added to the ongoing dialogue about on field communication and the reception of guidance from the video assistant referee team, a debate that has accompanied his career across tournaments. The 2018 World Cup involved a controversial instance when a penalty decision in the match between Saudi Arabia and Egypt appeared to be influenced by a call from the video operation room, a ruling Roldán did not overturn on the field. A similar pattern appeared in the 2017 Libertadores semi finals between River Plate and Lanús, where the interpretation of pivotal plays affected the series outcome and drew further discussion about officiating philosophy and VAR usage.
In the lead up to the current edition, Roldán officiated Boca Juniors in the earlier semi final leg against Palmeiras, a match that finished in a goalless draw without standout controversies. He also oversaw two Fluminense group stage fixtures: a 3-1 away win at Sporting Cristal, where Fluminense edged past Yotún, and a 2-0 loss to River Plate at the Monumental, a game in which a late penalty was correctly awarded to the home side. These assignments illustrate a referee trusted with high intensity matchups and responsible for key decisions that shape group outcomes and knockout progress, as reported by sources close to the competition and verified through official match records and related coverage.
Wilmar Roldán’s Copa Libertadores record
Across 116 Libertadores matches, Roldán has awarded 40 penalties, averaging nearly one penalty every three games. He has sent off 58 players, including 37 direct red cards and 21 players who earned two cautions. His officiating also features a sizable total of 631 yellow cards, reflecting a consistently active approach across his assignments and confirming his role as a central figure in one of South America’s premier club competitions as noted by analysts and federation observers.