In the other semi-final there is a clear favorite – and it is not Penarol, although the Uruguayan club is one of the big names in the Libertadores. They were the first champions in 1960 and have won the title five times. However, the last time was in 1987, when young striker Diego Aguirre scored the winning goal in the last minute. Aguirre is now a coach and is well aware of the magnitude of the task ahead.

As the global football market opened up, it became very difficult for Uruguayan clubs to compete. Penarol lost the 2011 final to the Neymar-inspired Santos, but otherwise it is the first time they have gone far in the competition in decades.

Penarol’s youngest teams were often full of youth products. This player is more experienced and the key names – such as striker Maxi Silvera and standout attacking midfielder Leo Fernandez – have been recently signed. Former Premier League playmaker Gaston Ramirez often brings calm and quality off the bench late in games and the mix was enough to beat Brazilian giants Flamengo in the last round.

But this problem, as Aguirre recognizes, will be more difficult.

Botafogo, the current leaders of Brazil’s top flight, combine a glorious tradition with a dark recent past. The debt-plagued Rio club was all too familiar with the second division until the investment of US billionaire John Textor, whose Eagle Holdings also owns Lyon and has a stake in Crystal Palace.

But Botafogo’s rise is not just about money. It is also a story of great scouting and good coaching from Portuguese Artur Jorge, who introduced the new signings seamlessly.

A few months ago, 23-year-old center forward Igor Jesus was a relatively unknown player from Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates. That month he won his first two caps for Brazil and scored his first international goal.

Also a target for Brazil this month was winger Luiz Henrique, who has been in top form since joining from Real Betis. Recent reinforcements include Premier League full-back duo Vitinho, formerly of Burnley, and Alex Telles, formerly of Manchester United, as well as Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada.

How long some of these players will stay at Botafogo is an interesting question, but for now the club’s fans are excited about a return to the glory days of Garrincha and his famous teammates of the 1950s and 1960s.

Botafogo have never won the Copa Libertadores and will look to make amends by building a first-leg lead in front of their own fans on Thursday (01:30 BST).