Santiago, 1948 — A Glimpse Into the Future
It’s 1948. The stands in Santiago, Chile are packed. Brazilian side Vasco da Gama has just held Argentina’s River Plate to a 0–0 draw — enough to win the Campeonato Sudamericano de Campeones (South American Championship of Champions).
This groundbreaking tournament was the first of its kind: national champions from across South America competing in a continental championship. Teams came from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and more. Fans showed up in droves, and the event was considered a big success.
But what does a tournament in Chile have to do with the Champions League in Europe?
From South America to France — The Spark That Lit the Fuse
News of the tournament travelled fast — and it didn’t go unnoticed in Europe.
In France, two journalists at the sports newspaper L'Équipe, Jacques Ferran and Gabriel Hanot, were particularly inspired. They believed Europe should adopt a similar idea — a competition between the champions of different national leagues.
With their persistent campaigning, they eventually convinced UEFA to make it happen.
1955 — The Birth of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup
In 1955, the very first European Champion Clubs’ Cup (the original name of the Champions League) kicked off with 16 teams. Clubs from countries like Spain, France, Poland, and Hungary took part.
The final was held in Paris, where Real Madrid defeated Stade de Reims 4–3. It was the beginning of a new era — and the start of Real Madrid’s legendary dominance in the competition.
Evolution of a Footballing Giant
The tournament was an immediate success and quickly became a fixture on the football calendar.
Over time, the format evolved. What began as a straight knockout competition became a mix of two-legged ties and mini-leagues. Today, the modern Champions League features over 30 teams in its group stages alone, showcasing elite clubs from across Europe.
From humble beginnings and a spark of inspiration in South America, the Champions League has become the most prestigious title in club football — likely even bigger than Ferran and Hanot imagined.
A Parallel Journey: The Copa Libertadores
And what about that 1948 South American tournament?
It eventually evolved into South America’s own elite club competition: the Copa Libertadores — the continent’s version of the Champions League.
In 2018, history came full circle when the Copa Libertadores final was played on European soil for the first time ever.
To find out why, check out our post: The Only Stadium to Host Two Unique Finals