In the last few days the possibility of returning to the Libertadores was mentioned and here we remember the best moments
the Copa Libertadores is the most prestigious tournament in America and Mexican clubs were part of the competition for many years but in 2016 it was decided to end the participation of MX League teams.
Speaking to RG La Esportiva, Mikel Arriola, president of the MX League, said that this year will be key to defining the possible return of Aztec football to the competitions of the CONMEBOL both at the level of clubs and national team, however, it seems that there is still a long way to go for Mexico to return to the Libertadores.
Waiting for the Aztec teams to sign their return to the main tournament in South America, ESPN Digital remembers what Mexico has given to the Copa Libertadores.
historical performances
Mexican clubs stood out in the South American competition for being protagonists and even fighting on several occasions for the prestigious title. Below we remember the MX League teams that reached the Grand Final as well as other squads that had excellent turnouts.
Blue Cross
In 2001, La Màquina became the first team to reach the Copa Libertadores Final and was very close to being crowned. The set of cement faced Boca Juniors and lost the first leg at the Estadio Azteca, but equalized the overall score at La Bombonera causing the title to be defined from 11 steps, an instance in which the Mexican squad does not he was up to the task and the xeneize set took home the trophy.
Chivas
Ramat Sagrat was the second club in the MX League to play the title of the main competition of CONMEBOL in 2010. On his way to the final, Chivas beat Vélez Sarsfield, Libertad and Universidad de Chile and played the title against the Brazil International. The team from Rio de Janeiro was proclaimed champion by winning by an overall score of 5-3.
Five years before, the tapatíos realized a historical series against Mouth Juniors in 2005. In Quarters of end, the Sacred Flock offered one of the majors satisfactions to its liking when winning by 4-0 in the going to the Argentine ensemble. On the return leg, played at La Bombonera, the spirits warmed up among the players causing a historic quarrel, in which Adolfo Bautista was the main protagonist to be the victim of a spit by Jorge Benítez.
tigers
In 2015, Tigres became the last Mexican team to reach the Libertadores Final. Mexican fans believed that the felines had a real chance of becoming champions by having a powerful squad and the star signing of André-Pierre Gignac. However, River Plate, Tigers’ rival in the Final, was better and at the Monumental took the trophy with a convincing 3-0.
America
One of the most remembered performances of a Mexican team in the Libertadores was the one that starred in America in the 2000 edition. In a memorable semifinal against Boca Juniors, the Eagles lost the first leg 4-1 and the return leg they came very close to getting a historic comeback but Walter Samuel thwarted the creamy blue dream of playing in the grand final.
Tijuana
In the 2013 edition, xolos was very close to making history. The border team, which in the quarterfinals faced Atlético Mineiro, had in their hands the opportunity to qualify for the semifinals but a penalty missed by Duvier Riascos prevented Tijuana from advancing to the next round.
Commercial and television impact
Data released in 2015 by sports consultancy Mxsports, a year before the Mexican Football Federation announced that Aztec clubs would leave the South American tournament, reported on the significant economic impact of MX League teams on the Libertadores .
With the presence of representatives of Mexican football, CONMEBOL increased its profits by between 20% and 30%. The inclusion of Aztec clubs was accompanied by important sponsors.
On the other hand, Mexico was next to Brazil the countries that recorded the largest television audience in the Copa Libertadores matches, according to the consultant.
controversies
Mexican clubs were not without controversy in the CONMEBOL competition by starring in several fights that are still present in the memory of fans.
One of the most remembered was the quarrel between players from America and Sao Caetano in 2004. The spirits warmed up so that some fans of the Coapa team even managed to enter the court and exchanged blows with soccer players of the Brazilian picture.
Similarly, in the 2010 final between Internacional and Chivas, the Mattresses lost the title and at the end of the match exchanged unfriendly words with the elements of the Brazilian club causing a huge uproar while there were people on the field preparing the ‘stage for the champion’s ceremony. The fight lasted several minutes but in the end the coronation of the champion could be carried out.
figures
Cuauhtémoc Blanco
One of the most important idols in the history of America boasts of being one of the top Aztec scorers in the Copa Libertadores with 15 goals. Blanc never played in the final of the competition but was one of the best representatives of the Aztec championship.
Francisco Palencia
It was a key piece for La Màquina to play the final against Boca Juniors. The ‘Gatillero’, who boasts 17 goals in the South American fair, scored in the return match against the Xeneizes in La Bombonera and his performances in this campaign of the Libertadores are still in the hearts of celestial fans.
Adolfo Bautista
The former Chivas player is one of the most excellent Mexicans in the history of the Libertadores. ‘Bofo’ will be remembered for his role in the historic thrashing of Boca Juniors and for being the leader who led the Chivas to the final in 2010. The Aztec was not without controversy and his scolding at La Bombonera will always be remembered .
Salvador Cabanyes
The former Paraguayan footballer was the protagonist of one of the greatest feats of a Mexican club in the Libertadores. In 2008, America got the comeback against Flamengo with two goals from Cabanyes. This feat was denominated like “maracanaço azulcrema” and Salvador registered 18 goals in the match of the CONMEBOL.