Botafogo stands out with unusual support
When asked who they prefer to win the Libertadores, 38.52% of respondents chose Botafogo, while 28.89% said they would root for Atlético Mineiro, and 32.58% stated they had no preference since their team would not be on the pitch.
Interestingly, the survey revealed that the direct rivals of the Rio-based team would be cheering for them. Among Flamengo supporters, 39.93% said they would back Botafogo, followed by 54.24% of Fluminense fans and 61.64% of Vasco supporters, who affirmed their support for the Carioca rival in the final.
On the other hand, Atlético Mineiro may not enjoy much support in Minas Gerais, as only 6.17% of Cruzeiro fans said they would root for their biggest rival. Among other fanbases, Grêmio supporters (75%) and Athletico-PR fans (66.67%) showed the strongest backing for Atlético Mineiro. In Botafogo’s case, Atlético-GO fans emerged as their biggest “supporters,” with 66.67% rooting for them.
In Betfair’s betting market, the Rio de Janeiro team appears as the favorite to win the final, with a 44% chance (odds of 2.15), compared to Atlético Mineiro's 25% (odds of 3.75). The chance of the match ending in a draw and going to penalties is 31% (odds of 3), according to the betting company.
Single match or two-leg final? A balanced contest
Since 2019, CONMEBOL has adopted a single-match final in a “neutral” venue, similar to the UEFA Champions League format. Betfair's survey asked Brazilian fans how they view this new model. A total of 47.16% preferred the current model, while 46.44% expressed a desire to return to the two-leg finals, and 6.39% were undecided.
Respondents also answered whether the presence of fans in championship finals influences player performance and can impact the outcome. 39.6% strongly agreed with this notion, 44.28% agreed, 6.66% were neutral, 6.39% disagreed, and 3.06% strongly disagreed.
Should CONMEBOL intervene in certain cases?
The Betfair-commissioned survey also addressed structural issues impacting the competitiveness of the Libertadores. When asked if CONMEBOL should implement a financial fair play model (or a salary cap for all clubs), 74.26% of Brazilian fans agreed that such measures should be adopted to level the playing field for all participating teams.
Fans were also asked if Brazilian teams have a better chance of winning the Libertadores due to their financial advantage over other clubs. A total of 24.21% strongly agreed, 34.65% agreed, 20.97% disagreed, 7.74% strongly disagreed, and 12.42% neither agreed nor disagreed.
Another recent issue involving CONMEBOL was the reduction in the number of slots for Brazilian teams. Brazilian clubs have been highly successful in the competition, with six consecutive titles (including 2024) and four of the last six finals featuring Brazilian teams. A total of 67.33% of respondents opposed the idea of reducing Brazil’s allocation in the tournament, while 32.67% were in favor.
How does the rivalry hold up?
The Libertadores final promises to attract an audience far beyond Botafogo and Atlético Mineiro fans. According to Betfair’s survey, 62.47% of respondents said they would watch the match even if no Brazilian teams were involved. The study also asked whether fans always watch finals, regardless of whether their team is playing. A total of 70.39% confirmed they do, no matter the participating teams.
The data show that the Libertadores final is more than just a sporting event—it’s a reflection of the passion and rivalries that drive Brazilian football. With attractive odds and a historic matchup, fans and bettors alike eagerly await the outcome of this chapter in South American football.
*The survey was conducted by Broadminded for Betfair with 1,111 Brazilians aged 25 and older, residing in the southeastern region of the country (Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo), through an online panel in November 2024. Of the respondents, 54% were male, and 46% were female.
One of the world’s largest online sports betting providers, Betfair is the official sponsor of Cruzeiro and Vasco da Gama. Founded in London in 2000, the company pioneered peer-to-peer betting (Betfair Exchange) and manages a comprehensive portfolio of sports betting, entertainment events, and online gaming products for over four million customers worldwide aged 18 and older.
Thanks to its cutting-edge technology, the platform offers a wide range of products that allow users to bet on their own odds and those set by other users. Betfair is licensed to operate online betting and other games in 19 countries, including Spain, Italy, Malta, and Great Britain.
Source: GMB
