The CONMEBOL Sudamericana, also known as the Copa Sudamericana, is an annual international club football competition organized by CONMEBOL, the governing body of football in South America, since 2002. It is the second-most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004 and 2008. The CONMEBOL Sudamericana began in 2002, replacing the separate competitions Copa Merconorte and Copa Mercosur by a single competition. Since its introduction, the competition has been a pure elimination tournament with the number of rounds and teams varying from year to year.
Boca Juniors, Independiente, Athletico Paranaense, Independiente del Valle, and LDU Quito are currently the most successful clubs with two titles each
Claudio Morel Rodríguez has won a record three Copa Sudamericana medals.
The South American Football Confederation is the continental governing body of football in South America and it is one of FIFA's six continental confederations. The oldest continental confederation in the world, its headquarters are located in Luque, Paraguay. CONMEBOL is responsible for the organization and governance of South American football's major international tournaments. With 10 member football associations, it has the fewest members of all the confederations in FIFA.
CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, as seen in 2014
