Who is the top scorer in the 2023 Copa Libertadores?

On Saturday, Argentina meets Brazil as Boca Juniors face Fluminense in final of the Copa Libertadores, a competition in which the two clubs have had contrasting fortunes.

How many times have Boca and Flu won the Copa Libertadores?

Only compatriots Independiente, who have won on seven occasions, have been more successful in South America’s premier club soccer tournament than Boca, who have six titles to their name. Recent history hasn’t been especially kind to them, however, with their last triumph coming in 2007, since when they have lost the 2012 and 2018 finals to Corinthians and River Plate respectively.

Fluminense, meanwhile, are only the eighth most successful club in Brazil in terms of domestic titles, which is reflected in their Copa Libertadores record. They have never been crowned continental champions and have only ever reached one final, losing to Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito en 2008.

Germán Cano: the Brazilians’ Argentine hitman

Whatever happens at Maracanã in Rio, which just so happens to be Flu’s home stadium, the Brazilians are certain to win at least one trophy in this season’s competition - that of top goalscorer.

Veteran Argentine striker Germán Cano started his career in his homeland with Lanús but has ended up in Brazil via Paraguay, Colombia and Mexico, where he scored 15 Liga MX goals for Pachuca and León. After a productive spell at Vasco da Gama, another Rio club, the 35-year-old moved to Fluminense last year and has been in prolific form ever since, netting more than 80 goals in all competitions since the beginning of 2022.

How many goals has Cano scored in the 2023 Copa Libertadores?

An impressive 12 of those have come in this year’s Copa Libertadores, putting him well out in front of Atlético Mineiro’s Paulinho, who is second on seven goals (although four of his came in qualifying).

Cano ran riot at the start of the group stage, scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Sporting Cristal in Lima before bagging a hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of River Plate on matchday three. After a couple of matches without scoring, his goal earned his side point in return match against the Peruvians in the last group game.

Fluminense didn’t need the striker to fire them past Argentinos Juniors in the round of 16 but he was back in red-hot form by the time the quarter-finals came around. He scored three times in the two-legged tie against Paraguayan side Olimpia and repeated the trick in the semis against fellow Brazilians Internacional, who were beaten by Cano’s late winner in Porto Alegre.

The Argentine has scored 12 of Flu’s 22 goals in the tournament - Boca Juniors know exactly who they need to stop.