Copa Libertadores final pits two of Brazil’s best against each other

Edited by Alex Smith

For the second time in a row, this year’s Copa Libertadores will be fought between two Brazilian sides.

South America’s title match will take place at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario on Saturday. Last year, Palmeiras won at Santos' expense in the final. Palmeiras will be trying to defend their title this year, this time against Flamengo, who last won in 2019.

Brazil dominates the continent when it comes to football, and there was another all-Brazilian derby in the final of the Copa Sudamericana, between Atletico Paranaense and Bragantino Red Bulls. Will Palmeiras retain the title, or will Flamengo take back the crown?

Only three days left until the Copa #Libertadores final in this famous Centenario Satdium in Montevideo 🇺🇾
📷AUFOFICIAL pic.twitter.com/fvjjUjnAV2
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) November 25, 2021

Palmeiras

No team has managed to win back-to-back Copa Libertadores trophies since Boca Juniors in 2001, but Palmeiras could shortly break that streak – they are considered one of the best clubs in the continent over the last couple of years.

With Abel Ferreira at the helm the team started the competition strong, winning Group A with five wins and a draw, scoring 20 goals in six matches.

When it came to the knock-out stages they continued that form, beating Universidad twice, and dominating Sao Paulo in a 4-1 aggregate win on their way to the semis. That game, against another Brazilian side, Atletico Mineiro, ended in a draw, with Palmeiras advancing on away goals. Overall, they’ve lost just one game from twelve this tournament.

🐷💚#AvantiPalestra #AlmaECoração pic.twitter.com/P6Xa7bGogA
— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) November 24, 2021

Key player – Ronielson da Silva Barbosa

Or just Rony. The 26-year-old striker grew up in poverty, sometimes struggling to find food to eat. His big brother introduced him to football, and he played for smaller sides before joining Atletico Paranense in 2018. It was here he started to show a bit of his potential.

Rony had his breakthrough last season, after waiting for so long to score his first goal for the side, he just couldn’t stop after he netted his first. And the striker played a significant part in Palmeiras's treble last year, winning the Brazilian Paulista, Brazilian Cup and, of course, the Copa Libertadores.

That season, Rony finished as the player with the most assists in the Copa Libertadores, and was chosen in South America's best XI. And his improvement continued this season, scoring six goals, will he be the one to lead Palmeiras to their second consecutive title?

Rony pelo Palmeiras na Libertadores:
13 jogos
11 gols
9 assistências

Ronielson da Silva Barbosa, o SENHOR Libertadores! pic.twitter.com/XcrOCVYP29
— Jão (@jaoike) May 27, 2021

Flamengo

Flamengo, without a doubt, is the best Brazilian team at the moment. After spending years far away from the spotlight, in the last two years the club has won the Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana, the national championship twice, and the Brazilian cup twice.

Their last Copa Libertadores final was a sweet memory for Flamengo fans. The Brazilians were down by a goal against River Plate back in 2019. Up step Gabriel Barbosa, who scored two goals in stoppage time to bring the title back to Rio de Janeiro.

That was under Jorge Jesus, now at Benfica, but the man in charge this team is former international footballer Renato Gaúcho, who will be hoping he can add another major trophy to the club.

Despite starting the group stage well, with three wins from three, they finished the group with just 12 points from a possible 18, but still topped their table.

In the knock-out stage, they were the best team on the continent. Six wins in total, against Defensa y Justicia, Olimpia and Barcelona SC, scoring 18 goals and conceding only three on the way. Will they be able to keep up their 100% record in the knock-out stages?

Bora pra Montevidéu! 🛫🇺🇾🙏 #VamosFlamengo pic.twitter.com/4XvYvQZ1La
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) November 24, 2021

Key player – Gabriel Barbosa

Or simply ‘Gabigol’. Barbosa’s career should've been much more impressive by now. He was considered one of the world’s most talented young players six years ago, when he was sold from Santos to Inter Milan for £26m. But Gabigol couldn’t adjust to life in Italy.

In 2017 he was loaned out to Portuguese side Benfica, but couldn’t find form there either. Barely given a chance there, he made just five appearances, Barbosa returned to South America.

Back at former club Santos, he started to score again, but instead of staying, the club wanted him to stay permanently, he was loaned to Flamengo. With the Rubro-Negro, Gabigol continued to show his brilliance, scoring 43 times in all competitions in 2019.

Most importantly though, he managed to bring important titles to the Maracanã. He was the biggest hero of that Copa Libertadores final two years ago, now, as the 25-year-old is ready to return to Europe, he’ll try to give the fans of Flamengo one more happy memory.