The soccer players who will stand out in the Copa América 2021

The 2021 Copa América is, perhaps, the most important event in South American soccer at the country level. Although the classification is maintained for the next Qatar World Cup 2022, the truth is that many nations want to face each other in knockout stages to find out if they can lift any of these trophies.

That is, it will not only serve as preparation for the maximum World Cup event, which will be held at the end of 2022, but it will also be useful for some nations to surprise and aspire to get the title. Let's see, then, the outstanding player of every 5 of the Latin American countries that will play this edition.

Lionel Messi – Argentina

So far, the top star of Argentina and one of the best soccer players in history has not been able to lift "important" titles with the blue and white. Although he managed to win youth awards, the truth is that Rosario's luck is elusive, as he has achieved several runners-up, including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

It may be the last time we see him play in the Copa América, as it is believed that, after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi will leave the national team. He will arrive at this South American event at the age of 33-34, who are fully in force, although his facet of play has changed over time.

In this edition, he wants to get rid of "the bad thorn" of having lost several finals (Venezuela 2007, Chile 2015, and United States 2016), leading a litter of generations where he will contribute his experience and quality. Undoubtedly, a huge challenge that will also depend on what his young teammates and the technical direction of Lionel Scaloni can do.

Marcelo Martins – Bolivia

Although he is not one of the most acclaimed figures in this Latin American contest, the truth is that he is one of the most prominent personalities of the Bolivian nation in recent years. Some of the possible hopes for a good performance are lit on him, due to his great scoring ability.

The striker is the captain of the Bolivian National Team, but he is also the historical top scorer, to the point where he is considered one of the best Bolivian professionals of all time. Currently, in the Cruzeiro of Serie B in Brazil, he had a really important career in several clubs abroad.

Until now, he was never able to qualify for a World Cup event and the best place he reached in a Copa América was in 2015 when he qualified for the quarterfinals. It remains to be seen how those led by César Farías are consolidated, although it is clear that the few hopes of achieving a good position lie in his idol and figure.

Neymar – Brazil

All Brazilians hope that Neymar can consolidate in soccer with his national jersey. Considered one of the great talents that this country has given to world soccer in recent decades, the truth is that, so far, it has not had too many trophies, except for the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Perhaps the most remembered was the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they lost at home in the semifinals in a historic 7-1 beating to Germany. He could not play that game due to an injury, but luck would not accompany him later, since the last edition (the Copa América of Brazil 2019) could not play it, also due to an injury.

There Brazil would be crowned champions, but for the current PSG player, it would not mean a cup that would thicken his personal record. Therefore, the group led by Tite will try to maintain its good gait and repeat the title they obtained years ago, this time with one of their figures among those called up.

Alexis Sánchez – Chile

Alexis Sánchez is one of the emblems of a truly successful generation in the history of Chile. The truth is that this soccer player, who is currently part of the Inter Italia squad that won the scudetto, was able to afford the "luxury" of winning two of these editions in recent times.

We are talking about the 2015 and 2016 Copa América, where they defeated Lionel Messi's Argentina. Although at present he is not at his best personal level, the truth is that he will seek to command the trans-Andean team towards a new conquest, where he will give experience and quality sparkles to Martín Lasarte's team.

Duván Zapata – Colombia

Almost silently, Duván Zapata became one of the best gunners on the planet. With a market value of 38 million euros according to Transfermarkt, this 30-year-old striker arrives at his best at this new edition of the Copa América, where he will seek that a large group of professionals can win this cup.

Those led by Reinaldo Rueda will try to take advantage of their enormous scoring quota, which those of Atalanta – the Italian club where he became an idol – constantly take advantage of. Without a doubt, a scoring power that his talented teammates can complement with highly dynamic football.

As we can see, the 2021 Copa América will be an edition with a large number of notable players. High returns are expected from many, but others may be a real surprise for this contest.