The 2011 Libertadores marked the Uruguayans' first appearance in the tournament's final since 1987, their fifth and last such title. For the visitors, though, the wait had been far longer. While the team led by Ricardo Oliveira had finished on the losing side to Boca Juniors in 2003, not since 1963, the golden age of Pele's wonderful team, had they won the Copa outright.
Muricy Ramalho's team geared up for what would undoubtedly prove a tough tie with one big advantage: the presence of Neymar, Brazilian football's new poster boy who, at 19, was already touted as a future star of the world game.
“They talk about Messi and Maradona but Brazil has Neymar, who is going to be a great,” Pele promised in 2011. Ex-Barcelona and Madrid star Ronaldo agreed, telling