Independiente del Valle

Ecuador

Founded 1958·Libertadores runners-up (2016); two-time Sudamericana champions (2019, 2022)

Named in tribute to Argentina's Independiente, "IDV" lost the 2016 Libertadores final to Atlético Nacional, but established themselves as a continental power by winning two Copa Sudamericana titles: in 2019 against Colón (3-1) and in 2022 against São Paulo (2-0), built on one of South America's most respected youth academies.