O Cruzeiro de 2024 foi vice-campeão da Copa Sul-Americana ao perder a final para o Racing por 3 a 1, em 23 de novembro de 2024, em Assunção, numa temporada marcada pela venda da SAF de Ronaldo para Pedro Lourenço.
Cruzeiro 2024
Cruzeiro 2024 returned to contest a continental final after more than two decades and was runner-up in the Copa Sudamericana, defeated by Racing in Asunción. The year also marked the sale of the club's SAF by Ronaldo to businessman Pedro Lourenço.
History
2024 was a year of administrative transition for Cruzeiro. Ronaldo, who had acquired the club's SAF in 2021, sold control to businessman Pedro Lourenço, and the new management initiated a reformulation of the squad and coaching staff throughout the season. In the Campeonato Mineiro, Raposa reached the final but was overcome by Atlético. In the Copa Sudamericana, the team had its best international campaign in years: they eliminated Boca Juniors in the round of 16 on penalties, got past Libertad in the quarterfinals and Lanús in the semifinals. In September, Fernando Seabra gave way to Fernando Diniz as head coach. The final was played on November 23, 2024, at La Nueva Olla stadium in Asunción, Paraguay. Racing led 2-0 in the first half, Kaio Jorge pulled one back, and the Argentines sealed the score at 3-1. In the Brasileirão, Cruzeiro finished in ninth place, with Cássio in goal and Matheus Pereira as the main playmaker.