The final of the Copa Libertadores promises to have a strong Latin flavor, with a touch of Major League Soccer (MLS) history. Two former MLS stars, Jefferson Savarino and Thiago Almada, are just 90 minutes or possibly more away from conquering the prestigious continental trophy with Brazilian club Botafogo.

Both Savarino and Almada had made it clear during their time in MLS that they wanted to move to other leagues, seeking opportunities to compete for major titles. Now, the Copa Libertadores is within their reach, and they have the chance to etch their names into Botafogo's history.

Should they win the title, the names of Savarino and Almada would go down in golden letters as part of Botafogo’s history. The club has never before contested a Copa Libertadores final, let alone won the coveted trophy. Winning it now would be a historic achievement for the Brazilian side.

MLS: A Proven Talent Exporter

Thiago Almada, who joined Botafogo mid-season, had an impressive spell at Atlanta United in MLS, where his performances earned him a call-up to the Argentina national team and ultimately a World Cup victory. Since joining Botafogo, Almada has continued to shine. In just six Copa Libertadores matches, he scored crucial goals, including a key strike in the quarterfinal second leg against São Paulo and another in the semifinal second leg against Peñarol.

On the other hand, Jefferson Savarino also arrived at Botafogo from MLS, making the move after an impactful stint with Real Salt Lake. In a short time, the Venezuelan winger has become a pivotal figure for the club. In the Copa Libertadores semifinals, Savarino scored two of the five goals in their 5-2 aggregate victory over Peñarol, helping propel Botafogo to their first-ever Libertadores final.

These success stories highlight how MLS has not only exported talent to Europe but also to South America, where players like Almada and Savarino have found a platform to excel. While European clubs have long been a primary destination for MLS talent, the rise of MLS players in South America — particularly in the Copa Libertadores — further underlines the growing international recognition of the league.

As Botafogo approaches their historic final, Almada and Savarino have the opportunity to crown their journeys with the Copa Libertadores trophy. For both players, it would be the culmination of years of hard work, international growth, and their undeniable talent — qualities that MLS helped to nurture.