Copa Libertadores 2003

Lore & Background

The tournament was won by Boca Juniors after defeating Santos in a rematch of the 1963 Copa Libertadores Finals. With this title, Boca Juniors achieved their fifth Copa Libertadores title and third in four years.

In Their Own Story

As the referee blew the final whistle, the silence that briefly followed was shattered by an explosion of joy. Hernán Crespo collapsed to his knees on the grass, tears mixing with the sweat on his face, while Juan Pablo Sorín embraced teammates in a chaotic huddle. The blue and gold flags waved furiously, a sea of color celebrating not just a win, but the survival of a dream.

Reader's Guide

From 1998 to 2002, Mexican and Venezuelan clubs played a mini tournament known as Copa Pre Libertadores to determine two teams that would qualify to the next year's Copa Libertadores group stage. In 2002 UNAM participated in the Pre Libertadores trying to earn a spot in the 2003 edition of the tournament.

Did You Know?

• Boca Juniors won their fifth Copa Libertadores title in 2003.
• The final was a rematch of the 1963 Copa Libertadores Finals between Boca Juniors and Santos.
• Boca Juniors won their third Copa Libertadores title in four years.