Sport
Copa America 2021 | 11 players to watch
Football fans don’t just have the Euros to look forward to this summer, with the 2021 Copa America taking place at the same time. Build-up to the event has been typically chaotic, with Colombia having recently been stripped of co-hosting rights due to civil unrest in the country.
While Copa America action will mostly be taking place overnight in the UK, teams like Brazil and Argentina will certainly be worth staying up late to watch. The Copa America is also known for putting young stars in the spotlight and there are a handful of exciting talents who are poised to make a name for themselves. Final squads are yet to be confirmed with World Cup qualifiers still to be played beforehand, but here are a few of the top up and coming players to look out for at the 2021 Copa America.
11 players to watch at the 2021 Copa America
Gabriel Barbosa (Brazil)
Neymar will shoulder Brazil’s hopes of defending the title they won in 2019. But this year’s tournament is a huge opportunity for Barbosa – known as Gabigol – to shine again.
The forward has already had one shot at making it in European football, but he flopped at Inter and then made no impact in a loan spell at Benfica in Portugal either. A return to his homeland has rejuvenated the 24-year-old’s career, however, with his goalscoring exploits in the Copa Libertadores forcing his way back into the plans of coach Tite.
Gabigol has hit 82 goals in total over the last four years and a strong showing in the Copa America may persuade clubs to try to bring him back for a second crack at breaking Europe.
Josef Martinez (Venezuela)
It has been a miserable year and a half for Josef Martinez. The Venezuelan striker has missed over a year’s worth of action due to a torn ACL rendering him inactive for both country and MLS side Atlanta United.
However, Martinez is back and looking just as sharp as he was in 2019 which saw him score 33 goals in just 37 games in the American top flight. His blend of power and pace changes matches in an instant and a fully fit Martinez is vital for Venezuela to survive many of their tougher games.
Julian Alvarez (Argentina)
River Plate forward Alvarez is among the starlets Argentina will be hoping can develop to eventually succeed the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero in their attack. The 21-year-old hit five goals in last season’s Copa Libertadores, leading to reports he could be a transfer target for Juventus and Atletico Madrid.
No move has yet come to fruition for a player who had a trial at Real Madrid at the age of 11. Alvarez can play either as a central striker or from the right wing and big performances at the upcoming Copa America could supercharge his march to stardom.
Erick Pulgar (Chile)
Chile’s squad is one of the most experienced in the competition but the 2x Copa America winners will need some of their younger talent to help provide some energy into the team. Erick Pulgar is someone who can do just this for his team.
A natural box-to-box midfielder, Pulgar is capable of making sublime passes and is also an excellent set-piece specialist that can deputise for the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. With a couple of seasons in Serie A with Fiorentina, Pulgar has the skillset and mentality to shine on the international stage.
Moises Caicedo (Ecuador)
Ecuador are very much a team in transition. Many of their stars from the past decade are retiring or have ended their international careers leading the path for new talents to take up the challenge. Enter Brighton’s midfield maestro Moises Caicedo.
The young midfielder is seen as a star in development with excellent ball skills and a strong presence throughout the pitch. Having yet to debut in the English top flight, Caicedo’s experience in South American conditions can help him make a mark in a top competition for the first time.
Vinicius (Brazil)
At just 20, Vinicius is still developing as a professional footballer but Copa America could define whether he will become the generational superstar that many touted him to be. His form with Real Madrid wasn’t stellar in the 2020/21 La Liga season scoring just 3 times all season.
However, his speed and dribbling always make him a threat on either flank and he could be a dynamic presence that gives Neymar and co. plenty of support all throughout the tournament.
Ben Brereton (Chile)
Chile won back-to-back Copas America in 2015 and 2016 but with a lack of talent coming through they have handed a shock call-up to Blackburn Rovers striker Brereton.
The 22-year-old qualifies for Chile through his mother, even though he was born in Stoke, and he could become the most unlikely of stars at the 2021 Copa America.
Brereton has played for England at under-19 level but he could become a focal point for the new generation of Chilean players, following in the footsteps of the likes of Alexis Sanchez.
Just seven league goals this season shows Brereton has hardly lit up the Championship, though he did also contribute five assists. He did, however, net in two of his last three appearances for Rovers to end the campaign in fine form.
Freddy Vargas (Venezuela)
With the picture surrounding star striker Josef Martinez’s availability for Venezuela unclear, Vargas could be the man to step up for one of the Copa America’s major underdogs.
Vargas shone for Deportivo Lara in the Venezuelan top division as a youngster to earn a loan move to MLS side FC Dallas, where his searing pace has made a positive impression.
The 22-year-old, who can play wide or up front, is expected to be a key player for Venezuela for many years in the future. The 2021 Copa America could be his international breakthrough.
Jose Gimenez (Uruguay)
With iconic leaders such as Diego Godin entering the twilight of their careers, the Uruguayan national team are going to be needing a solid presence to fill their shoes. Luckily, Jose Gimenez is primed to take that position whenever he is ready to.
The Atletico Madrid defender has turned into one of the best in the world with a strong physical presence wherever he is on the pitch. He also has deputized as leader for his club several times this season in Spain helping Atletico win the La Liga title and prove that he can lead his country to success should he be called upon.
Alfredo Morelos (Colombia)
Rangers striker Morelos heads to the 2021 Copa America on a high, his goals having fired Steven Gerrard’s side to the Scottish title. Morelos has netted 56 goals in four seasons with the Glasgow giants, but he has found international level more testing, scoring only one goal in 10 appearances for Colombia so far.
That should change at the Copa America, though, as long as Morelos can keep a lid on the temper that has seen him sent off seven times since he signed for Rangers in 2017. Morelos has regularly been linked with a move from Rangers and the race for his signature could intensify if he impresses over the coming weeks.
Leo Messi (Argentina)
It’s hard to believe that Lionel Messi has yet to win anything with Argentina but there could be no better opportunity to do so than this edition of Copa America. Having produced excellent form for Barcelona with 38 goals in 47 games across all competitions, Messi is still performing at an elite level whether it be striking, dribbling or creating chances.
By captaining his country on home soil, there will be many expecting Messi to shine in the Copa America and end Argentina’s three-decade long trophy drought. With that and the likelihood of becoming Argentina’s most capped player ever during the tournament’s group stages, can Messi finally win an international honour and eliminate the last cloud hanging over his illustrious career?
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