Power Rankings: Which of These 8 Giants Will Conquer the 2025 Copa Libertadores?
The 2025 Copa Libertadores has been narrowed down to eight contenders, with the quarterfinal stage of South America's premier club tournament kicking off this week.
Teams from Brazil have controlled the tournament in recent years, with Brazilian clubs claiming the title in every edition since 2019. This season, Sao Paulo, Palmeiras and Flamengo are each seeking to become the first Brazilian club to capture the Copa Libertadores four times.
Four of the eight remaining teams hail from Argentina. River Plate, Estudiantes, Vélez Sarsfield and Racing Club are all determined to break Brazil's stranglehold on the competition. The remarkable LDU de Quito rounds out the elite eight.
The knockout phase of the Copa Libertadores can produce any outcome, as this tournament has always been characterized by excitement and surprises.
Here's Sports Illustrated's power ranking of the contenders for the 2025 Copa Libertadores title.
8. Estudiantes
Estudiantes de la Plata stand among the most legendary clubs in tournament history. The Argentine outfit is one of only two teams to capture the competition three years running and holds four championships total.
However, they arrive at the quarterfinals as obvious underdogs. Estudiantes have secured victory in just one of their previous five matches and currently sit seventh in Argentina's Primera División standings.
Eduardo Domínguez's squad represents a disciplined unit, but facing Flamengo and their offensive prowess reveals a significant talent disparity, making it difficult to picture Estudiantes advancing beyond this stage.
7. Vélez Sarsfield
Vélez Sarsfield have displayed the strongest defensive record in the 2025 Copa Libertadores so far, though they've appeared somewhat limited in their attacking play lately.
The summer signings of Diego Valdés and former West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini might provide the team with a crucial offensive spark. Vélez have been riding momentum recently, suffering defeat in only one of their past 13 matches.
The quarterfinal showdown with Racing Club may prove closer than anticipated, but Vélez will encounter a side with significantly more continental expertise. Needing to secure the tie away from home could present an insurmountable challenge.
6. LDU de Quito
The fairy tale story of the 2025 Copa Libertadores and the sole remaining team outside Brazil and Argentina, LDU de Quito have fully accepted their underdog role to become giant killers.
The Ecuadorian club initially overcame Flamengo to reach the knockout phase by winning their group. Subsequently, in the round of 16, they knocked out defending champions Botafogo with an outstanding performance from 35-year-old Lisandro Alzugaray in the return leg.
The experienced Alzugaray will shoulder much of LDU's aspirations moving forward. Their quarterfinal encounter with Sao Paulo appears to be the most balanced matchup on paper, and Tiago Nunes's team will pray their magical run continues a bit longer.
5. Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo commanded their group stage, accumulating 14 points from 18 available. However, in the round of 16 they barely progressed past Atlético Nacional through a thrilling penalty shootout.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian club has triumphed in eight of their last 12 contests while climbing the Brasileirão table. Since former Argentina international Hernán Crespo took charge as manager in June, the "Tricolor Paulista" have elevated their performance significantly.
Sao Paulo's ability to finish the series against LDU de Quito at home in the Estadio MorumBIS—among South America's most intimidating venues—could be the determining factor. Should they advance to the semifinals, some of their veteran stars, including Lucas Moura, might return from injury in their pursuit of a fourth Copa Libertadores crown.
4. River Plate
River Plate are determined to overcome their 2025 Club World Cup disappointment by claiming their third Copa Libertadores trophy within the last decade.
Marcelo Gallardo guided Los Millonarios to three Copa Libertadores finals during his initial tenure with the club, but he hasn't replicated that success level since returning to the team last summer. Despite this, River haven't suffered defeat since their loss to Inter Milan in the Club World Cup.
While it required a penalty shootout to eliminate Libertad in the round of 16, River's roster contains undeniable talent. Gallardo has demonstrated his excellence as a cup competition manager, and the Estadio Más Monumental will be electric when welcoming Palmeiras in what promises to be the quarterfinals' premier matchup.
3. Racing Club
Racing Club have been constructing an impressive project in recent seasons. The current Copa Sudamericana champions—South America's equivalent to the Europa League—are now targeting their first Copa Libertadores victory since 1967.
Gustavo Costas's team narrowly defeated Uruguayan champions Peñarol in the round of 16 and have experienced an inconsistent few months in Argentine league competition. Still, they possess one of South America's most formidable squads, featuring a solid defense and an attack led by the exceptional Adrian "Maravilla" Martínez.
Racing have demonstrated their credentials in recent cup tournaments, and at the Estadio Presidente Juan Domingo Perón—where they'll host the second leg versus Vélez—they become even more dangerous. Put simply, Racing possess the talent to overcome any remaining competitor in the tournament.
2. Palmeiras
The leading two clubs on this ranking are clearly the tournament's biggest title favorites. Palmeiras, champions in 2020 and 2021, are seeking redemption after last year's semifinal elimination by eventual winners Botafogo.
El Verdão witnessed two of their finest players leave the club during the summer in Richard Ríos and their 2025 Copa Libertadores leading scorer Estêvão. However, Facundo Torres and José López have elevated their performances significantly.
But it's former Barcelona striker Vitor Roque who has emerged as Palmeiras' most impactful player. Roque has contributed six goal involvements across El Verdão's last three matches. With Roque spearheading the attack, supported by the impressive wingers, Palmeiras haven't lost momentum and remain among South America's elite teams.
Abel Ferreira's squad enters as favorites against River Plate, and hosting the second leg at home should provide them with a substantial edge. When these teams last met, Palmeiras eliminated Los Millonarios during their march to the 2021 championship.
1. Flamengo
Flamengo have established themselves as South America's premier team in 2025, suffering only five defeats in their last 50 matches across all competitions.
Filipe Luis's squad operates like a perfectly tuned machine, featuring European-quality players throughout the starting eleven, including recent acquisitions Emerson Royal, Samuel Lino and Saúl Ñíguez.
El Mengão currently leads the Brazilian league standings and have become synonymous with continental achievement in recent years, capturing two Copa Libertadores titles in the past decade.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta has netted five goals in his last five outings, while starting forward Pedro has scored five times in his previous six appearances. Apart from Palmeiras, Flamengo simply operates on a different level compared to the remaining tournament participants.
Should events unfold as expected, Flamengo and Palmeiras are destined for a rematch of the 2021 final. Currently, El Mengão must be regarded as the leading candidates to secure continental supremacy in 2025.