Last update October 31, 2024 by colgadosporelfutbol
The Intercontinental Cup It was a most prestigious trophy. Nothing to do with its predecessor, the Club World Cup that even seems to bother the busy calendar of the big teams.
Origins and Foundation of the Intercontinental Cup
The idea of a tournament that would pit the best teams from both continents against each other arose at the end of the 1990s. 1950. In Europe, the European Cup (today known as the UEFA Champions League) began to gain popularity, while in South America the Liberators cup It was established as the most prestigious tournament on the continent. In 1960, UEFA and CONMEBOL decided to organize a confrontation between the champions of these two tournaments. This is how the Intercontinental Cup was born, a duel that sought to crown the best team in the world at the club level.
A) Yes, This trophy was created in the year 1960 and faced champion European Cup (posteriormente Champions League) against the champion Liberators cup. The first official confrontation took place in 1960 between Real Madrid, European champion, and the Club Atlético Peñarol from Uruguay, Copa Libertadores champion. This first duel not only established the foundations of the competition, but also reflected the passion and rivalry that would characterize the tournament in the following decades. Real Madrid won the series with a resounding 5-1 in the global, taking the inaugural title.
The golden era of 60 Y 70: South American dominion
During the decades of 1960 Y 1970, South American teams dominated the Intercontinental Cup, thanks to its offensive style of play and the high quality of its players. teams like Santos from Brazil, with Pelé at the helm, Y Independent from Argentina left an indelible mark on the competition.
- Santos FC from Brazil, led by Pele, became champion in 1962 Y 1963, being the first South American team to win the trophy consecutively.
- Racing Club of Argentina and the Estudiantes de La Plata consolidated Argentina's reputation in the tournament at the end of the years 60.
The Intensity of the 70: Boca Juniors and Olimpia
The rivalry and competitiveness of the Intercontinental Cup intensified in the 1990s. 70. South American teams like Boca Juniors and the paraguayan Olympiad They began to successfully face European teams in memorable series. It was a time of physical duels, many of which ended in controversies and controversies due to the intensity of the game and the rivalry between both football cultures..
The 80 Y 90: Japan as host and the internationalization of the tournament
Since 1960 until 1979 (inclusive) the final disputed to return. Since 1980 onwards, when the Intercontinental Cup was taken to Tokyo, Japan for a sponsorship issue, he played a single match.
A) Yes, Toyota sponsorship, that supported the competition during this period, boosted its visibility and allowed all matches to be played in a single-match format, instead of the two-match series.
The change in format allowed clubs like Flamengo, with Zico as its maximum figure, Y Independent, who won his title in 1984, They will reach the trophy with a single match. In the 90, teams like AC Milan of Italy and the São Paulo from Brazil offered quality displays in the finals, consolidating the Intercontinental Cup as an event awaited by fans.
- In 1992 Y 1993, São Paulo FC beat European giants like FC Barcelona and AC Milan, under the direction of Telê Santana. These titles confirmed São Paulo as one of the best South American clubs.
- The AC Milan, one of the most successful European clubs, He also stood out in the competition by winning the title in several editions, including the 1989 Y 1990.
Intercontinental Cup honors
Far from what many might think, equality between clubs in America and Europe was very large, nothing to do with the distance that exists today. In fact, If we look at the palmares of the competition we find 22 titles teams Conmebol (South America) by 21 of Equipements UEFA (Europe).
The clubs with the most titles are: Milan, Peñarol, Real Madrid, Boca Juniors Y Nacional. They devoted themselves champions three times. The Milanese were also runners-up in 4 sometimes more.
With two titles we find Independiente de Avellaneda, Juventus, Santos, Inter de Milan, Sao Paulo, Ajax, Bayern Munich Y Port.
By last, with 1 Intercontinental Cup appear: Estudiantes de La Plata, Olympiad, Guild, River Plate, Manchester United, Racing Club, Feyernoord, Atletico Madrid, Flamengo, Red Star, Velez Sarsfield Y Borussia Dortmund.
If we do a count by countries, Argentina leads the standings with 9 Titles, followed by Italy with 7 and Brazil and Uruguay with 6. Spain with 4, Germany and the Netherlands with 3, Portugal 2 and England, Paraguay and Yugoslavia 1 complete palmares.
Finally, as regards top scorers in the tournament we find the great Skin he scored 7 many with Santos and Alberto Spencer Penarol made 6.
The End of the Era: The Fusion towards the Club World Cup
In 2004 It was played the last final of the Intercontinental Cup between the Portuguese Porto and Once Caldas of Colombia (the Portuguese won on penalties). From there, It was created Club World Cup what, sincerely, It does not reach the level of prestige of his predecessor.
The FIFA In other editions it has brought together the champions of each of the Confederations (North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania) in addition to the champions of the host country. But nevertheless, the level of most teams and the competition format makes emotion and lost weight.
In 2024 even worse, creating a purely commercial tournament where teams like Messi's Inter Miami attended without winning anything. but this, It's another story.
