Find out all about the main football championships in America and how the countries relate to this sport, which is one of the most popular in the world.
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Marked by an intense passion for football, Latin America is home to major competitions in the world of football that highlight not only the region's talents, but also the competitiveness, rivalry and culture of the sport.
Much more than just sport, football is part of the culture and identity of Latin countries. When the football championships start, everyone stops at some point to watch their favourite team.
With a history dating back to the 19th century, football in the region attracts a legion of passionate fans and influences social and political issues, bringing communities together, promoting social inclusion and even serving as a form of protest.
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Latin America is characterised by major competitions such as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, which bring the limelight to various clubs, making the games even more visible worldwide.
And, in addition to the prestige of the teams, it is in Latin America that great names in football have emerged. It's possible to say that the main names in the history of football came from the American continent.
Names like Pelé, Messi, Maradona, Hugo Sánchez, Ronaldo Fenômeno and Ronaldinho Gaúcho stand out not only for their achievements on the pitch, but also for representing excellence and passion for sport in the region. Proof of this is Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup.
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We've put together information on some of the main football leagues in Latin America, which are marked by a lot of competitiveness, rivalry and many big names in football.
Find out which are some of the continent's most prestigious competitions, and discover some curiosities about them with tips on where you can follow the tournaments.
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Football in Latin America
When it comes to football, the passion for the sport immediately comes to the fore and shows how it is rooted in the culture and identity of Latin countries.
From the dirt fields of rural areas to large football stadiums, sport is a fundamental part of everyday life for Latinos.
Latin America has a long and well-established history of football dating back to the 19th century, when it became even more established on Latin soil and attracted a legion of passionate fans.
Football in Latin America goes beyond the four lines of the pitch. It plays an important role in society, often reflecting and influencing social and political issues.
Sport can unite communities, promote social inclusion and even serve as a form of protest.
The region is known for producing some of the best footballers in the world. Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia are known for their vast footballing talent, which is nurtured from an early age in football academies and youth academies.
In addition to outstanding players such as Pelé, Maradona, Messi, Hugo Sánchez and Ronaldo Fenômeno, Latin America is home to some of the most prestigious competitions in the world, marked by great rivalry, competitiveness and emotion.
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Top 5 football leagues in Latin America
Latin America is home to some of the world's most competitive and prestigious football tournaments. The birthplace of stars such as Pelé, Messi and Maradona, the continent is marked by major competitions that attract more and more football fans. Get to know some of these tournaments:
Copa Libertadores
The Copa Libertadores is a competition between South American clubs organised by CONMEBOL since 1960.
The league is one of the most important on the American continent and attracts the best teams in the region who compete in a series of phases, including groups and knockout stages, which always result in exciting matches and an unforgettable final.
The Libertadores is known for its intense rivalries, and it's the wish of every Latin fan that their team wins the championship. Especially as the winner, in addition to the title, also gets the chance to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, the championship that recognises the best team in the world.
The greatest Libertadores champions:
- Independiente (7 titles)
- Boca Juniors (6 titles)
- Peñarol (5 titles)
- Estudiantes (4 titles)
- River Plate (4 titles)
South American Cup
The Copa Sudamericana is one of the football championships that is also organised by CONMEBOL, and is the second most important in South America after the Copa Libertadores.
The South American competition began in 2002 and attracts clubs from all over the region as well as teams from other member federations.
The format of the championship is similar to Libertadores, i.e. it has a preliminary phase followed by groups and knockout stages, and the winner gets the title of South American champion along with a place in the Recopa Sudamericana.
The Copa Sudamericana offers clubs the chance to compete internationally and has provided some remarkable moments in football since its inception.
South American Cup winners:
- Boca Juniors (2 titles)
- Independiente (2 titles)
- Independiente del Valle (2 titles)
- Athlético-PR (2 titles)
- LDU Quito (2 titles)
Brazilian Championship
The Brazilian Championship, also known as the Brasileirão, is the main football championship in Brazil. It is held annually by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) and involves clubs from all over the country divided into 4 divisions.
The first division, known as Série A, is contested by the best clubs in the country. The format of the competition is straight points, where all the teams play each other in back-to-back matches over 38 rounds.
The Brasileirão champion is determined by the team with the most points at the end of the season. And in addition to the national title, the Brasileirão offers clubs places in international competitions depending on their final position in the league table.
The tournament is characterised by its high level of competitiveness, intense rivalries and the passion of its fans, making it one of the main attractions on the Brazilian sporting calendar.
Biggest champions of the Brazilian Championship:
- Palmeiras (12 titles)
- Santos (8 titles)
- Flamengo (8 titles)
- Corinthians (7 titles)
- São Paulo (6 titles)
First Division
The Primera División is Argentina's main football league, organised by the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
The league, founded in 1891, involves clubs from all over the country and has a straight points format, where teams play each other in back-to-back matches throughout the season.
The Primera División champion is determined by the team with the most points accumulated at the end of the championship. And, like the Brasileirão, the Argentinian League offers places in other international competitions such as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
The Primera División is renowned for its intensity, technical quality and historic rivalries that make for exciting and unforgettable matches, making it one of the most competitive tournaments in South America.
Primera División's greatest champions:
- River Plate (37 titles)
- Boca Juniors (35 titles)
- Racing Club (18 titles)
- Independiente (16 titles)
- San Lorenzo (15 titles)
Liga MX
A Liga MX is Mexico's main football league. Made up of 18 clubs, the format of the league is a little different from the others, the clubs compete in two annual tournaments: Apertura and Clausura.
In a nutshell, the clubs play a round-robin phase followed by a knockout phase to determine the champion of each tournament. There are some proposed changes to the format, but they haven't yet been fully determined.
In addition to the domestic title, Liga MX clubs are also seeking places in international competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions League.
Liga MX is known for its competitiveness, thrills and vibrant atmosphere, and plays a crucial role in the development of Mexican football.
Liga MX's greatest champions:
- America (14 titles)
- Chivas (12 titles)
- Toluca (10 titles)
- Cruz Azul (9 titles)
- León and Tigres (8 titles)
Find out more about the possible changes that could take place in Liga MX.
Read on All about Liga MX
Tips on how to follow the championships
To stay on top of all the football competitions not only in Latin America, but around the world, you need to know that there are apps, channels and platforms that allow you to follow all the matches live.
Nowadays you can find free and paid apps that offer you a range of opportunities to follow your favourite team straight from your mobile phone. Some of these platforms are
- Futemax
- MobDro
- DAZN
Take a look at what each of these and many other apps can offer you in terms of content and see how to access the apps and platforms.
Read the full article: Football on your mobile phone: best apps
