Copa Libertadores (trophy)

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Copa Libertadores Trophy

The Copa Libertadores Trophy is the prize awarded each year by CONMEBOL to the team that wins the Copa Libertadores, South America’s top club competition. Since 1960, several different trophies have been used, and the rule says the team that wins three years in a row could keep the original trophy.

The idea for a standard cup came from Teófilo Salinas, and the original trophy was designed in 1959 by Alberto de Gasperi in Lima, Peru. The trophy’s look and details have changed several times. It started with a podium that could hold badges from past winners, and over the years it was enlarged as more winners joined. A milestone came in 1970 after Estudiantes won their third consecutive title, followed by changes in 1974, 1994, and after a celebration accident in 2004.

In 2009 the trophy received a major redesign, and the current design has larger handles with a footballer at the top. The winning club gets to keep the actual trophy only until the next edition begins; the defending champion’s president returns it to CONMEBOL and a replica trophy is given to the new champions. Clubs may also make exact replicas. If a club wins three consecutive editions, they can keep the trophy permanently. A metal badge with the winner’s name and year is added to the wooden pedestal.

From 1998 to 2008, Toyota awarded a separate golden salver during the Copa Toyota Libertadores sponsorship.

Independiente holds the record for the most wins with seven. The first winner was Peñarol in 1960, and the most recent holder of the modern trophy is Flamengo, with four titles. Estudiantes was the first to receive the current trophy. The current trophy was designed to be filled by the 2024 edition.