South American Soccer Stars Who Dominated Global Stage in 2024
In 2024, soccer stars from South America dazzled with their skills ‒ taking over Europe’s top leagues and big international games. Players like Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez showed fantastic talent, showing that the region stays strong in world football.
Vinícius Júnior: Brazil’s Brightest Star
Vinícius Júnior had a remarkable year, cementing his status as the best South American soccer player in 2024. The 24-year-old Real Madrid winger dazzled with his exceptional skill, finishing the calendar year with 46 goal contributions—32 goals and 14 assists—in Europe’s top five leagues. Averaging a decisive play every 83 minutes, Vini was unrivaled among European South Americans.
His crowning achievement came in the UEFA Champions League final, where his goal against Borussia Dortmund secured Real Madrid’s 15th European title. Though Vini just missed winning the Ballon d’Or, his impressive skills put him among the best players in the world. This shows everyone he is a rare and unique talent.
Raphinha: Barcelona’s New Leader
In 2024, Raphinha – a shining star for FC Barcelona – changed his career. People once criticized him for not always playing well, but the Brazilian winger quieted those critics. He became the captain and a steady goal-scorer for the Catalan team.
With 37 goal contributions—24 goals and 13 assists—in Europe’s top leagues, Raphinha averaged an impact every 86 minutes. His standout performances in the 2024/25 season included 11 goals and 6 assists in just 19 La Liga matches, showcasing his lethal left foot and ability to terrorize defenses from the right wing.
Raphinha’s comeback makes him very important for Barcelona as they try to win in their country and Europe. His strong leadership and ability to perform in crucial situations secured his spot among South America’s best players.
Luis Díaz: Colombia’s Talisman
Luis Díaz enjoyed a stellar year for Liverpool and the Colombian national team. With eight goals in only 12 Premier League games during the 2024/25 season, Díaz became an important player for Liverpool in their quest for the league title. His sharpshooting, scoring eight goals from an expected tally of just over five, showed a big jump in his attacking skills.
Díaz shone brightly for Colombia on the world stage, leading the team to the Copa América final against Argentina. As Colombia played well in FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Díaz’s performances cemented his role as the team’s star. His mix of creativity, hard work, and dependability near the goal makes him one of South America’s top players.
Lautaro Martínez: Argentina’s Hero
Lautaro Martínez led Argentina to another historic victory in 2024, claiming the Copa América crown and scoring the decisive goal in the final against Colombia. As captain of Inter Milan and the national team, Lautaro was the year’s top scorer in Serie A and the Copa América, showcasing his knack for delivering on the biggest stages.
Lautaro’s prolific form fueled Inter’s dominant 2023/24 league title win, and his spectacular performances in World Cup qualifiers suggest he’s only getting started. No longer playing a supporting role as he did during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, Lautaro has emerged as a central figure in his nation’s continued success.
Emiliano Martínez: The Best Goalkeeper
Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez showed his importance just like any other player on the field in 2024. His excellent skills in goal helped Argentina win the Copa América, with no goals allowed in the final against Colombia. Dibu’s fantastic games for Aston Villa made him more famous, leading the team to the Champions League in 2023/24 and stopping big teams like Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Chosen as FIFA’s “The Best” Men’s Goalkeeper, Martínez is seen as one of the top goalkeepers worldwide. His unbeatable skill in stopping shots and strong presence in goal make him a key player for his club and country.
From Vinícius Júnior’s magic at Real Madrid to Emiliano Martínez’s strength in goal, South American players significantly impacted soccer in 2024. These five stars shined for their clubs and countries and showed the talent, leadership, and passion that continue to define South American soccer on the world stage.
