Rahul SahaWith 16 countries qualifying for the main draw, ten from CONMEBOL and six from CONCACAF, there is huge anticipation and excitement in the lead up to the 2024 Copa América as some of America’s finest footballing stars take centre stage in what will be a mouth-watering month-long tournament.
All eyes will turn to the US this summer as North and Southern America’s finest footballing nations go head-to-head in a bid to determine the best national side in the western hemisphere.
In this article, I present to you my top 10 players to look out for at the 2024 Copa América this summer.
Vinícius Júnior
This Copa América, Brazil will have at hand a daunting task since most of their best players have been ruled out due to injuries or are severely underperforming.
In October, Neymar—Brazil’s all-time leading scorer—suffered a devastating knee injury. His availability for this Copa is still up in the air. A full recovery in time for the competition is well within the realms of possibility, though Seleção head coach Dorival might already be preparing for a future without his veteran talisman.
Real Madrid CF star Vinícius is likely to have the responsibility of leading the squad to victory without Neymar this summer. With 28 appearances for Brazil, Vini has found the back of the net three times. However, in recent months he has shown that he can be the talisman his country needs this summer.
Endrick
A left-footed striker who’s become a household name in his own country at the tender age of 17 after his mouth-watering display for local club Palmeiras, and having already secured a transfer to Real Madrid after the Copa América, there is no doubt that Endrick will be under the scanner this summer.
The hype mill around the young prodigy has been in full swing ever since Real Madrid finalised the deal for him more than a year ago. Although Endrick is likely to start the tournament as an impact substitute, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison all suffering a massive dip in form, his chances of becoming a regular starter increase with every passing week.
Lionel Messi
Just four days before Argentina begin their Copa América defense this summer, Lionel Messi will celebrate his 37th birthday. Therefore, this may very well be his last Copa América.
Alongside Messi, there will be quite a few old legs in the Argentinian set-up who will likely hang up their boots in the summer. So there is no surprise that Messi and Co are the talk of the town.
Moreover, Messi’s current home Miami is set to host the Copa América final, giving him the chance to defend Argentina’s crown in his own backyard. The script really just writes itself from hereon.
Luis Suárez
Just like his Inter Miami CF teammate and long-time friend, Lionel Messi, Uruguayan legend Luis Suárez will most likely be playing in his last Copa América this summer.
The former FC Barcelona man will always have a special place in the Copa folklore following his and Diego Forlán’s incredible partnership which lead Uruguay to their first Copa América title in 16 years in 2011.
Now aged 37, and despite injuries taking a toll on his body, Suárez is still operating at a high level, playing alongside Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer. Moreover, given this is the strongest Uruguayan team since their 2011 Copa América triumph, Suárez will hope to end his international career on a high.
Luis Díaz
This summer’s Copa América will mark Luis Díaz’ third trip to South America’s premier continental tournament. It’ll be a tough ask for the Colombian to replicate his heroics from the summer of 2021, though, where he scored four times (including goals against hosts Brazil and one against eventual champions Argentina) and finished joint top-scorer (alongside Leo Messi).
Díaz has blown hot and cold this season for the red half of Merseyside. On the international stage, however, he has been more reliable, having scored twice against Brazil in a 2-1 win in November recently. Come summer, the 27-year-old will be expected to lead the attack for the 2001 Copa champions.
Alexis MacAllister
Since playing a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup-winning run in 2022, few players’ stocks have risen as much as that of Alexis MacAllister. Following his excellent display for the Albiceleste as well as helping Brighton & Hove Albion FC secure European football for the first time in their history, MacAllister moved to Liverpool FC in a shrewd £35m move last summer.
Since making the Liverpool move, the 25-year-old has arguably been his side’s best player this season, marshalling the midfield both as a No. 6 and a No. 8 at times. Thus, if Argentina are to retain their Copa crown this summer, a lot will be riding on the shoulders of this creative central midfielder.
Santiago Giménez
The 23-year-old has blossomed into one of El Tri’s most valuable assets, especially in the year and a half after being left out of Mexico’s 2022 World Cup squad.
Setbacks at the international stage did not hinder Giménez’s progress, as he helped Feyenoord win the Dutch crown for the second time this century last season, scoring 15 goals in the process.
This season, Giménez has already scored 21 goals and has five assists from 29 starts in the Eredivisie. He also scored the match-winning goal for Mexico in the Gold Cup last year, showing his ability to step up his game for the big occasions.
Pervis Estupiñán
This will be Estupiñán’s third Copa América. Brazil 2019 was a breakthrough tournament for him, resulting in him getting nominated for the post-tournament Best XI. He also played every minute of Ecuador’s three games at the 2022 World Cup.
At club level, Estupiñán has been a mainstay for Brighton over the last two years, helping the Seagulls to a sixth-place finish in his debut campaign. The 2023/24 season hasn’t been kind to him, however, as he has suffered numerous fitness and injury setbacks throughout the season.
Christian Pulisic
The 25-year-old has been a star for the USMNT since breaking through as a teenager and is finally reaching his peak as a player.
After a tumultuous four-year spell with Chelsea FC, where his playing time was largely curtailed with constant injuries despite winning the Champions League, his first full season with AC Milan has been a promising one in terms of both form and consistency in his play.
At Milan, Pulisic has found a rabid supporter in his manager, Stefano Pioli, who has started him in almost every match. Pulisic has repaid his trust by producing a career-high 13 goals and seven assists across all competitions.
Darwin Núñez
The 24-year-old Uruguayan has come under the firing line in recent months with his lacklustre performances in front of goal. Despite scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists across all competitions, Núñez has missed almost double the big chances, Liverpool’s title hopes in Jürgen Klopp’s swansong season having fizzled out rather timidly in the final months.
At the international level, Uruguay look strong on paper after a very long time. In the four World Cup qualifier games he has played in so far, Núñez already has five goals and an assist to his name. Thus, come summer, a lot of Uruguayan hopes will be pinned on the shoulders of this young forward.
Julián Álvarez
Definitely one of the breakout stars of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Julián Álvarez is set to shine yet again at another major tournament. The 24-year-old treble-winning striker of Man City already has seven goals in 29 appearances for the Albiceleste, having also had 18 goal contributions at club level this season.
Moreover, Argentinian head coach Lionel Scaloni prefers Álvarez as his first-choice starter over a bonafide finisher like Lautaro Martínez; which speaks volumes about how much the 24-year-old is rated by his national team head coach.
