It’s official: the 2024 Copa America will be held in the USA in June! The host country surely expects a good run from their boys to clinch their first ever Copa America title. But that’s easier said than done, of course, as the tournament features some of the most talented outfits the football world has to offer.
The competition will feature nation clubs like the USA, Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela, and, of course, the reigning FIFA World Cup champions Argentina, to name a few.
Strong competitors would only entail a showcase of world-class football from some of the best players from the region. Household names like Lionel Messi, Darwin Nunez, Neymar, and Christian Pulisic will headline the tournament, but there are some under-the-radar players every football fan should look out for.
Luckily, SBOTOP is here to feature these underrated stars that are more than capable of being pivotal cogs in the success of their beloved nations.
Claudio Echeverri, Argentina
Manchester City loanee Claudio Echeverri could make a splash for defending World Cup champions Argentina.
Echeverri, who just turned 18 years old last month, could and should be called up for a senior appearance in the Copa America, and Lionel Scaloni might give the young prodigy a runout when the tournament commences in the United States.
Last year, Echeverri was already invited to train with Argentina’s senior squad while he prepared for the Under-17 World Cup, and rubbing elbows with the likes of Lionel Messi and the rest of the senior squad at such a young age could only mean great things for the starlet.
Dubbed as Argentina’s next Lionel Messi, Echeverri already has a £12.5 million price tag for his services, a price the Treble winners Manchester City are happy to pay for.
While the Sky Blues fans are already on the edge of their seats in anticipation of seeing the young Argentine in action in the Premier League, they will have to wait a couple more months because River Plate will keep the prodigy on loan until the end of the 2024 campaign.
Antonee Robinson, USA
The United States will play host to the latest edition of the Copa America, so expect a stacked roster from the Americans.
Boasting talents like Milan’s Christian Pulisic, Juve’s Tim Weah, and Nottingham Forest’s Matt Turner, the USANMT also have a player named Antonee Robinson who can lock up the defencive end and push the tempo forward.
Robinson is slowly making a name for himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, as he continuously impresses the football world with his stellar form with Fulham.
Jedi’s ability to push the ball would be critical for USA in the Copa America, as their budding midfielder, Weston McKennie, recently suffered a shoulder injury that would force him to sit out of the CONCACAF Nations League finals and beyond.
Like in Fulham, expect the offence to funnel through Jedi, and anticipate his crosses and long balls to connect with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun for fast and potent attempts at the goal—a perfect recipe for Copa America 2024 highlights.
The 26-year-old is only about to enter his prime. He has a chance to showcase his talents in front of their home fans and hopefully bring glory to USA football.
Endrick, Brazil
Arguably, Brazil’s Endrick has the most traction for stardom among the young studs on this list. Don’t believe me? Maybe Real Madrid’s £51 million claim on the young lad would.
Endrick currently plays for the Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, where he already boasts 14 goals in 38 appearances. Endrick is set to join Los Blancos next summer, where he hopes to play alongside Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid golden boy Jude Bellingham.
But his talents were noticed long before his senior debut, as the young Brazilian was able to tally 165 goals in 169 appearances in his youth teams, which was more than enough to earn his spot in the Palmeiras senior team, becoming the youngest player in club history to do so.
Due to his magnificent form, Endrick’s talents are understandably admired by fans and pundits alike, and he was quickly called up into Brazil’s senior squad, the youngest to be selected since Ronaldo in 1993.
Endrick has a great opportunity to showcase his skills and impress Carlo Ancelotti and the rest of Real Madrid during his run with Brazil in the Copa America, where he could possibly play alongside seasoned vets like Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, and possible Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior.
Vitor Roque, Brazil
Another Brazilian starlet that is more than capable of marking his name in international competition is Vitor Roque, a talented teenager who plays for FC Barcelona in the Spanish top flight.
Dubbed the next Luis Suarez, Roque immediately showed why the illustrious club at Camp Nou acquired his services. Wearing the iconic No. 19 jersey for Blaugrana, he plays a pivotal role alongside football legends Lewandowski, Pedri, and the rest of the household names Xavi has in his lineup.
Roque is considered to be one of the most promising talents in football today, and it’s only fitting that the Barcelona winger suits up for the football-crazed Brazil in the Copa America.
Brazil have a stacked lineup, to say the least, a healthy mixture of proven veterans and budding starlets, which is why they’re one of the Copa America 2024 betting odds favourites to go on a deep run and win the tournament altogether.
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