Timão played in the first FIFA Club World Championship as a guest and won the trophy. Since 1960, the European champion and the South American champion, winner of the Libertadores of America, disputed the title of the season. Until, in 2000, FIFA decided to test a new format, with eight teams: six chosen by the continental confederations, plus Real Madrid – world champion in 1998 – and one nominated by the CBF, since Brazil hosted the tournament. Conmebol, the South American football confederation, selected Vasco for the 1998 Libertadores title (when the World Cup was held, however, Palmeiras was the South American champion at the time). Corinthians entered the dispute after having won the 1998 Brasileirão. But why not the 1999? At the time, the CBF stated that the result of the Brazilian championship would only come out in December, very close to the world championship – which made no difference, since Corinthians was twice champion in 1999. Anyway, Coringão beat Vasco in the final and was world champion without ever having conquered South America.
Vasco is considered the 1st South American champion for the title of a tournament in 1948. Palmeiras tried to claim the title of world champion by winning the Rio Cup in 1951… but FIFA denied it!
>> In 2011 Timão goes to Libertadores for the 9th time! In the best campaign, in 2000, he lost the semifinal to Palmeiras
SOURCE: FIFA