Vasco da Gama 1998

Vasco da Gama's 1998 team won the Copa Libertadores, the first continental title for the Rio de Janeiro club. The team was led by coach Antônio Lopes and defeated Barcelona of Ecuador in the final.

History

Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama was founded on August 21, 1898, in Rio de Janeiro, and has São Januário as one of its symbols. Brazilian champions in 1997, the club arrived at 1998 in high spirits but without any major international titles. In the 1998 Copa Libertadores, Vasco, managed by coach Antônio Lopes, reached the final against Barcelona de Guayaquil from Ecuador and won the competition's debut title. Among the names of that generation was midfielder Juninho Pernambucano, who gained national prominence at the club. As South American champions, Vasco competed in the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo in December 1998 and lost to Real Madrid 2-1. Nevertheless, the conquest of the 1998 Copa Libertadores is considered one of the greatest moments in Vasco's history.