| Read my answers to this week's questions |
This year it is Boca Juniors of Argentina who are living the dream.
Already under way in Japan is the absolute highlight of the year in South American club football - the World Club Championship - with the chance of global glory for the winners of the Copa Libertadores.
Clubs all over the continent have been dreaming of Tokyo ever since the one-off game against the champions of Europe started to be held there in 1980.
For the last three years the action has become worldwide, with all of the continents represented. From the South American point of view, this adds to the prestige, but also increases the risks; there is a semi-final to be negotiated first.
The wrong result means it's back home without the chance of a crack at the glamorous winners of the Champions League.
The semi-final produced awkward moments for both Sao Paulo in 2005 and Internacional last year, before they managed to squeeze through against Al Ittihad and Al Ahly respectively.
Part of the problem was nerves - the fear of missing out on the big day - but there was another factor.
Until a few years ago the South American sides used to look forward to meeting the European champions in order to show off their technical superiority.
But when Sao Paulo lined up against Liverpool in the 2005 final, and Internacional took the field against Barcelona 12 months ago, the strategy of the Brazilian clubs acknowledged that they were outgunned.
"Riquelme has since rejoined Boca on a permanent basis, but not in time to be registered for this competition"
There was no escaping the realities of the global market in footballers. The top European clubs could clean up talent from the four corners of the world.
Unable to hold on to the star players they produce, the South American clubs boxed clever.
They had struggled in the semi-final when forced to take the initiative, but in the final they had no such responsibility.
They could defend deep, squeeze the space, stop the flow of the game and hope to strike with one well-constructed counter-attack.
It was good enough for both Sao Paulo and Internacional to take the trophy home with 1-0 wins.
It is here that Boca's problems begin. It is hard to see them defending with the same consistency as the Brazilian pair.
Since winning the Libertadores not only have they lost left-back Clemente Rodriguez but, more importantly, they have also parted company with centre back Daniel Diaz.
He may not be a world-beater, but Diaz was the rock on which the Boca defence was founded. So far Liverpool old boy Gabriel Paletta has not proved a convincing replacement.
Then, of course, there is the case of Juan Roman Riquelme, the playmaker who, back on loan at Boca, was the key man in the club's Libertadores triumph.
Riquelme has since rejoined the club on a permanent basis, but not in time to be registered for this competition.
So the responsibility for organising the team's possession falls to teenage midfielder Ever Banega.
After starring in January in the South American Under-20 Championships Banega has had a busy year - straight into the Boca team for the local championship, the Libertadores, the South American Cup, and running the midfield as Argentina won the World Youth Cup.
He has played so many games this year it is a wonder he can still walk.
Now Banega will have to fight the burn-out and dictate a crisper rhythm against African champions Etoile than Pachuca of Mexico managed on Sunday.
Pachuca dominated against ultra-cautious opponents but were unable to get behind the defence and lost to a late deflected goal.
If Boca are to do better, then Banega will have to click with Rodrigo Palacio, a wiry striker who works the flanks well.
A couple of years ago Palacio seemed destined for big things, but his form is patchy. Now approaching 26, this would be the perfect moment for him to regain momentum.
With a defence that does not guarantee clean sheets, Boca need Palacio to get behind the Etoile defence and then worry some of the ageing legs in the Milan rearguard if South America are going to come out on top once more.
You can put your questions to Tim Vickery every week on the World Football Phone-in on Radio 5 Live's Up All Night programme from 0230 to 0400 GMT every Saturday. You can also download last week's World Football Phone-in Podcast.
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Got a question about South American football for Tim Vickery? Email him at vickerycolumn@hotmail.com
Could you please explain the reasons for the relegation of the most popular Brazilian football team - Corinthians?
Everton Nascimento
Corinthians are probably second to Flamengo in terms of quantity of fans, but their away support is remarkable, the best in Brazil.
Having said that, I regret to say that I think the club got what its directors deserved.
The partnership with MSI, which brought them Carlos Tevez and the 2005 title, was always very strange.
It seems to me there are no angels in the story. The MSI deal is under investigation by the Brazilian authorities and, as for the club, it looks like some of them were wanting to play an old game that Brazilian clubs have worked with foreign investors - wait for the investment, and then try to separate it from the investor.
They thought they were smart, but after the team was eliminated from last year's Libertadores and the project fell apart what they got was a squad full of kids and players unable to deal with the pressure of representing Corinthians.
Over the last few years a number of big Brazilian clubs have been relegated.
They've all bounced back stronger for the experience, and I imagine the same will happen with Corinthians. The supporters will stay with them and the chance to regroup in the second division could be just what they need.
I am a Bristol City supporter and our keeper is the Brazilian Adriano Basso, who was just voted the best footballer in the south west of England. Not exactly Fifa world player but an achievement nonetheless. What are the chances of him making the Brazilian squad as it's the position no Brazilian wants to play?
Sam Keers
I really can't see it. The idea that Brazil doesn't produce goalkeepers is well out of date.
Their goalkeeping preparation work is top class, and the consequence is that they have keepers all over the Champions League - Julio Cesar, Doni, Dida, Gomes, Helton.
And there are some terrific younger keepers coming through - Bruno of Flamengo, Felipe of Corinthians, Renan of Internacional. It's very hard to imagine Adriano Basso getting in front of all of them.
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