COPA LIBERTADORES - THE SOUTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Close Season Encounters - Day 25
Wednesday, 25 June 2003.
It's like Manchester United v Real Madrid. They are two of the world's biggest clubs, they have arguably the best two players ever to play the game as their favourites sons, and today, Boca Juniors and Santos compete in the final of the Copa Libertad
Today is day 25 of the Close Season...
Throughout the month of June players in England are given a break away from the game and only international, small-side, armed forces and scout matches are permitted.
Without any football for a whole month, TheFA.com is here to help you through every day in June with our guide, Close Season Encounters, pointing you in the direction of your daily dose of the Beautiful Game...
Boca and Santos taking Libertadores
It's like Manchester United v Real Madrid. They are two of the world's biggest clubs, their favourite sons are arguably the best two players ever to play the game, and today, Boca Juniors and Santos compete in the final of South America's answer to the Champions League - the Copa Libertadores.
At 9.40pm local time in Buenos Aires' Estadio Alberto J Armando - otherwise known as 'La Bombonera', former home of Argentinian sensation Maradona - the first-leg of the final gets underway.
Santos of Brazil - the club with which Pele spent almost 20 years - beat Boca in the 1963 final and will be looking to win their third Libertadores final. However, the Argentinians will be no push-over having won the Championship themselves on four occassions, 1977, 1978, 2000 and 2001.