Brazilian clubs dominate in the Copa Libertadores

For the sixth edition in a row, a Brazilian team will win the Copa Libertadores. And for the fourth time in the last five editions, the Copa Libertadores final will be contested by two Brazilian teams. The Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, home of River Plate, will host the clash between Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo on November 30, 2024, the teams competing in this year's Copa Libertadores final. The two opponents represent different cities: Belo Horizonte for Mineiro and Rio de Janeiro for Botafogo, but they share similar, if not identical, club colors, as both have opted for black and white. There's no distinction in their aesthetic choices either, as both have a home jersey featuring alternating black and white vertical stripes.

The reason behind Botafogo’s choice of colors is linked to Italian football. As confirmed by the club, the decision to adopt black and white was immediately proposed in 1904 during its early meetings by Itamar Tavares, one of the club's founders. Tavares had spent time in Italy and was captivated by Juventus' black and white kits, as the Italian team had already transitioned away from pink as their primary color. The decision to adopt black and white was finalized in 1906, and there has been no turning back since. The year 1910 marked the first appearance of the club's logo stitched onto their jerseys. More recently, 2023 marked another aesthetic milestone as it saw the beginning of a collaboration between Botafogo and Reebok, with the Vector returning to the football pitch after more than a decade.

There is no official version regarding Atlético Mineiro’s choice of black and white as its club colors. Legend has it that these two contrasting colors were chosen to symbolize and celebrate diversity, reflecting the club's values. Atlético Mineiro was one of the first Brazilian clubs to recruit and debut Black players. The black and white game kits thus became a symbol of what was seen on the field: Black and white players lined up together on the same pitch. While this seems ordinary today, it represented a genuine revolution at the time. The choice of black and white was further cemented in 1945 with the introduction of the mascot now known as Galo Doido. This rooster, designed by cartoonist Fernando Pierucetti, drew inspiration from the jersey colors and symbolized the passion and relentless fighting spirit displayed by Atlético Mineiro players, akin to a cockfight.

For the record, due to regulations approved by Conmebol, Atlético Mineiro will wear their black and white jersey in the Copa Libertadores final, while Botafogo will use their third white kit.