This paper analyses the ritualization that has evolved around the Copa
Libertadores de América finals: the most important football tournament
in South America at club level. It seeks to understand its evolution from
the beginning of the twenty-first century, paying attention to the confrontation between different national realities and the subcontinental
institutions that govern football in the region, particularly the
Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL). Applying a methodology based on the audiovisual dimension of the event, and analysing multiple categories of ritualization, it can be seen that the
institutional weakness of CONMEBOL has hindered the transmission of
a clear message via the tournament. This has made it difficult for the
tournament to consolidate itself as a unifying force for football in the
region, and has prevented CONMEBOL, at least so far, from being able
to lead a citizenship project around football in South America.
