The CONMEBOL president did not rule out the inclusion of MLS and Liga MX teams in future editions of the continental tournament
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The debate about a possible participation of clubs from the United States and Mexico in Copa Libertadores returned to the spotlight in recent hours and received a clear response from CONMEBOL.
After the statements by Jorge Más, one of Inter Miami's owners, about the idea of adding MLS and Liga MX teams to the top continental tournament, Alejandro Domínguez, the president of the organization, left open the possibility that they could be incorporated into "Eternal Glory".
Domínguez aclaró que la decisión depende de CONCACAF
"It is an issue that they must discuss within CONCACAF. It has already been done in the past and we are very respectful of the other confederations", Domínguez explained in a conversation with Globo Esporte, within the framework of the launch of the Brazil 2027 Women's World Cup.
However, he emphasized the symbolic value of the tournament: "It is an honor that teams from other confederations regard Libertadores as a benchmark for international and global competition".
When delving into the concrete feasibility of the proposal, CONMEBOL's top official recalled the precedents. "The door was left open. They were here with us playing until 2016. If they want to return, they have to do it through CONCACAF", he pointed out.
Previously, Mexican clubs participated in Copa Libertadores between 1998 and 2016, while some MLS franchises also had a presence in tournaments organized by CONMEBOL, such as the now-defunct Copa Merconorte in 2001 and Copa Sudamericana in 2005 and 2007, where D.C. United reached the round of 16 as a guest team.
Los equipos mexicanos jugarón 18 años la Libertadores
For now, the ball is in CONCACAF's court, which will have to decide whether it will formally push for the return of its teams to the most emblematic competition in South American soccer.
