South America’s domestic football season has begun anew following the winter break, with leagues across the continent kicking back into action amid a flurry of transfer window activity. From trophy clashes to blockbuster signings, here are your latest headlines from the CONMEBOL region.
Peñarol Wins Supercopa Uruguaya
In a match that carried added intensity following striker Maximiliano Silvera’s controversial move from Peñarol to fierce Montevideo rivals Nacional—where he was branded a “traitor” by sections of the fanbase—Peñarol earned a measure of revenge after losing the most recent league title to Nacional.
After a scoreless draw, Peñarol triumphed 4–2 on penalties in a heated encounter that saw both teams reduced to 10 men. The match was suspended in the 87th minute due to crowd disturbances, in a derby where supporters from both clubs were allowed inside the stadium. With the Uruguayan league season about to begin, Peñarol and Nacional are once again expected to battle for supremacy throughout the campaign.
Brasileirão Dominates the Winter Transfer Window
The financial power of Brazil’s top flight has been on full display this winter. While several Brazilian talents—such as forward Rayan (Vasco da Gama to Bournemouth), Souza (Santos to Tottenham Hotspur), Jhon Jhon (Bragantino to Zenit St. Petersburg) and Alysson (Grêmio to Aston Villa)—have continued to make the leap to Europe, it is the money and talent flowing *into* the Brasileirão that has the rest of the continent on edge.
Lucas Paquetá returned to Flamengo from West Ham for a reported €42 million, Gerson arrived at Cruzeiro from Zenit St. Petersburg for €27 million the second highest transfer fee in league history, and Tetê rejoined Grêmio after a spell in Greece and across Europe. Flamengo also spent €10 million to sign Vitão domestically, further strengthening a squad that reached the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final and lifted the Copa Libertadores last season. Corinthians, Brazilian cup winners, signed veteran defender Gabriel Paulista from Besiktas.
Brazil’s biggest club, Flamengo, is also its most valuable, but Flamengo are far from alone in flexing financial muscle.
Paquetá had fallen slightly out of favor at West Ham, but he remains a Flamengo legend and looks determined to lead the club to continued domestic and continental dominance as the most expensive signing in league history.
A number of CONMEBOL internationals have also joined the league. Colombian international Marino Hinestroza moved from Atlético Nacional to Vasco da Gama for €5.2 million, Venezuelan international Jefferson Savarino signed with Fluminense, Ecuador’s Angelo Preciado left Sparta Prague for Atlético Mineiro, and Grêmio added Colombian title-winning attacking midfielder José Enamorado from Junior de Barranquilla.
In total, 30 Colombians now play in the Brasileirão, including national team winger Johan Carbonero (Internacional), former Zenit St. Petersburg striker Mateo Cassierra (Atlético Mineiro), and 23-year-old Andrés Gómez, who will team up with Hinestroza at Vasco.
Backed by Brazil’s economic strength, increased foreign investment, and massive supporter bases, Brazilian clubs possess unmatched bidding power on the continent. Rather than relying on aging stars seeking one last dance, clubs are assembling squads that blend young, prime-age talent with experienced veterans—creating the depth needed to survive a brutally competitive league where relegation is always a threat, while simultaneously dominating the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
The 2025 Club World Cup served as a coming-out party for the modern Brazilian football league, and the pace has only accelerated since.
River Plate and Racing Club Lead Argentina’s Transfer Market
Argentina’s LPF is widely regarded as Brazil’s fiercest rival on the continent. While Boca Juniors experienced a relatively quiet transfer window—highlighted by the addition of midfielder Santiago Ascacíbar from recent champions Estudiantes—Racing Club, the recent finalist, moved decisively.
La Academia secured 20-year-old Valentín Carboni on loan from Inter Milan and added Matko Miljević from Huracán, reinforcing a squad aiming to compete on multiple fronts.
Rivals River Plate, meanwhile, are responding to a disappointing 2025 with an aggressive rebuild. The club moved quickly to inject youth and quality, bringing in highly rated Ecuadorian teenager Kendry Páez on loan from Chelsea/BlueCo. Paez is a hyped wonderkid but has been criticized for a lack of focus on football and off-field antics. The move to Buenos Aires means Chelsea hopes a return to South America will focus him.
River also added Aníbal Moreno from Copa Libertadores finalists Palmeiras, Giuliano Galoppo from São Paulo, Matías Viña on loan from Flamengo, and Fausto Vera on loan from Atlético Mineiro.
These arrivals, coupled with the departures of long-serving veterans such as Nacho Fernández and Enzo Pérez, signal a clear attempt to rejuvenate the squad. River’s ambition is not limited to reclaiming the Argentine title, but also to mount a serious challenge in the Copa Sudamericana, a competition they will contest this season.
Universidad de Chile Supporters Set Fires in Stadium
Universidad de Chile saw their opening game of the season be marred by a fan protest that saw fires being set in the stadium. According to Reuters, supporters of the club were protesting ticket price increases.
Santa Fe Wins Superliga Colombiana
Bogotá’s Independiente Santa Fe began 2026 with silverware, defeating Junior de Barranquilla 4–1 on aggregate after a resounding 3–0 home victory. The first leg on Colombia’s Caribbean coast had ended in a draw, but Santa Fe asserted their authority in the capital.
Veteran striker Hugo Rodallega continued his remarkable form, scoring twice already in 2026 after netting 25 goals in 2025—by far the most prolific season of his professional career.
Junior were frustrated in defeat and notably missed Enamorado, but the Barranquilla club has reinforced its attack with the addition of veteran striker Luis Muriel from Orlando City (MLS), alongside Cristian Barrios from América de Cali for the season ahead.
Elsewhere in Colombia’s DIMAYOR, rebranded club Internacional de Bogotá officially launched under new ownership that includes international celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney of Wrexham fame. The club’s aggressive marketing push even included sending their new kit into space.
Millonarios, Bogotá’s other historic giant, have struggled in recent months. They brought back legendary Colombian striker Radamel Falcao (again) and made a managerial change, appointing Fabián Bustos—who brings experience from across South America, including Peru’s champion Universitario.
Atlético Nacional were active in the transfer window, signing Cristian “Chicho” Arango from MLS. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder, known for his goalscoring instincts, chose Nacional in part to honor his grandmother’s wish to see him play for the club. Alfredo Morelos remains as the primary striker, Nicolás Rodríguez joined from Orlando City as a promising young winger, while veterans Eduard Bello, a Venezuelan international, and 37-year-old Argentine Milton Casco, from River Plate, arrived to add experience. Nacional also offloaded struggling striker Facundo Batista, who returned to Uruguay with Peñarol.
Alianza Lima Upsets Inter Miami, Herons Bounce Back Against Atlético Nacional
Inter Miami’s South American pre-season tour began in disastrous fashion. Lionel Messi failed to score as the MLS champions were stunned 3–0 by Alianza Lima in Peru, where a sharp and organized home side ruthlessly exposed Miami’s backline.
Club and Peruvian national legend Paolo Guerrero, still going strong at 42, scored twice against new Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. While Miami looked disjointed in Lima, their second stop in Medellín offered signs of improvement.
Juan Rengifo, a Colombian wonderkid with a bright future, opened the scoring for Atlético Nacional with a stunning golazo, but Luis Suárez equalized in the second half. A disappointing own goal from Nacional and a late, unawarded penalty appeal ensured Inter Miami escaped with a 2–1 victory. Former Monterrey Rayados striker Germán Berterame, now a Mexico international, made his debut for the Herons.
Barcelona SC’s Noche Amarilla Draws 50,000 Supporters+
Inter Miami’s next opponent, Barcelona SC, hosted their traditional Noche Amarilla on Saturday. While the friendly itself ended in a 1–0 defeat to Guayaquil City, the spectacle off the pitch stole the headlines.
More than 50,000 supporters packed the stadium for a night of pyrotechnics and celebration, welcoming new signings including 35-year-old striker Darío Benedetto. The Argentine forward has previously starred for clubs such as Boca Juniors and Marseille.
The turnout was yet another reminder of the deep-rooted passion for club football across South America, even as most of the world’s top players ply their trade in Europe.
Barcelona’s rivals, Independiente del Valle—the reigning Ecuadorian champions—will face Inter Miami in a pre-season friendly in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on February 13. By the end of Miami’s four-match tour, the MLS side will have faced opponents resembling a mini Copa Libertadores run, a competition they hope to enter before Lionel Messi’s storied career comes to a close.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
