Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa, nicknamed
Robertão, was created in 1967 from the
Torneio Rio-São Paulo, a traditional football competition contested by the major clubs from
São Paulo and
Rio de Janeiro, considered the strongest state federations. Since 1967, Torneio Rio-São Paulo had not been held until the revival in 1993, paving the way for the organization of Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa at that time. The 1967 edition of Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa was the first tournament that congregated all the main clubs of Brazil, named after the former president of São Paulo's football federation,
Roberto Gomes Pedrosa (1913-1954). Since 1968, the tournament was also called the
Taça de Prata (Silver Trophy) and considered the most important competition of Brazilian football. Between 1959 and 1964 the winner of the
Taça Brasil, a knockout competition which was contended in Brazil between 1959 and 1968, provided the Brazilian entrant for the following season's
Copa Libertadores. The Copa Libertadores was expanded for 1966 and two Brazilian teams were allowed to enter; both the winners and runners-up of the 1965 and 1966 Taça Brasil entered the Copa Libertadores. Following the formation of the Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa in 1967, one Brazilian Copa Libertadores place went to the winner of the Taça Brasil, and one to the winner of the Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa in 1967 and 1968 Brazilian seasons. 1968 was the last year the Taça Brasil was contested; in 1969 and 1970 the top two finishers in the Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa entered the following season's Copa Libertadores. However, due to the misunderstandings between the
Brazilian Football Confederation (CBD) and
CONMEBOL, Brazil turned out not participating of the Copa Libertadores in 1969 and 1970, but the CBD came back to indicate Fluminense and Palmeiras, the champions and runners-up of Robertão 1970, as the representatives and they participated normally in Copa Libertadores 1971. Owing to the organization of Campeonato Brasileiro in 1971, the Torneio Roberto Gomes Pedrosa was held last time in 1970. ==Teams==