Copa Bridgestone Libertadores

In 1960, the Copa Libertadores made its debut as the Champions' Club Cup, an annual championship to determine the No. 1 team among all club teams from member countries of the CONMEBOL.. Originally, each country was represented by a single team. In 1966, the present system was introduced, whereby the two best teams from each country participated. A seeding system was initiated so that the champion from the previous year could join from the second round. In that same year, the name Copa Libertadores was adopted, commemorating the heroes of independence who freed the countries of the South American continent from Spanish colonial rule. In its early days, the tournament was beset by problems such as financial hardship and the logistics of scheduling games across the vast South American land mass. But this contest among the best club teams rapidly attracted legions of devoted fans. In no time at all, the Copa Libertadores became one of the most important events of the year for all of South America's football clubs.