ASUNCION: South American confederation CONMEBOL has entered discussions about the possible admission of clubs from Mexico and the United States in the Copa Libertadores, its equivalent to the UEFA Champions League.
According to ESPN and Globo, discussions are at an early stage. However, should the negotiations prove constructive, the competition could feature sides from the US and Canada for the first time in the tournament’s history from as early as 2020.
Mexican clubs had previously featured in the historic competition between 1998 and 2016, before the collaboration ended as a result of clashes between Copa fixtures and the Liga MX regular season matchdays.
Any deal between MLS, Liga MX and the tournament would likely present the same issues, as well as question marks over whether the competition would expand its number of teams or reduce the number of spaces open to sides based in traditional Conmebol member nations.
During the 18-year period that Mexican sides took part, Cruz Azul in 2001, Chivas Guadalajara in 2010 and Tigres in 2015 all reached the final of the Libertadores. No Mexican side has ever won it. The tournament’s winner progresses into the FIFA Club World Cup, with Copa Libertadores champions going on to win the competition on four occasions – most recently when Corinthians defeated Chelsea in 2012 in Japan.
Brazilian outfit Gremio are the current Copa Libertadores holders, one of ten clubs from the country to win the title. Argentine side Independiente have won the competition a record seven times, though their last victory came in 1984.
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