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#3 Brazil's full-backs
Brazil have a plethora of talent in their Copa America 2021 squad, and their full-backs play for some of the biggest clubs in the world.
However, if one looks at each full-back individually, Brazil might have a problem. Danilo and Alex Sandro, both of whom play for Juventus, enjoyed fairly good seasons, even as the Old Lady struggled as a team.
Meanwhile, Emerson Royal of Real Betis arguably enjoyed the best season out of all four Brazil full-backs, while Renan Lodi barely featured for Atletico Madrid in their title-winning campaign.
Argentina's main threat will come from their wings, especially in the form of Lionel Messi. So Brazil manager Tite will have to pick his full-backs carefully against Argentina.
#2 Emiliano Martinez's form
One can argue that Emiliano Martinez is one of the best goalkeepers in the world on current form.
Martinez was one of the best custodians last season in the Premier League. He is now the first-choice goalkeeper for Argentina despite making his Albiceleste debut only this year.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a stunning game against Colombia in the Copa America 2021 semi-final, saving three penalties in the shootout to help Argentina qualify for the final.
For now, Argentina's no.1 jersey for the next few years is in safe hands. Martinez is enjoying his best spell as a professional player, and Brazil could find it difficult to score past him.
#1 The Lionel Messi factor
Lionel Messi has comfortably been the best player at Copa America 2021, and the game against Colombia showed a usually reserved Messi's more passionate side.
The Barcelona superstar has registered four goals and five assists for Argentina and has looked unstoppable at times. Given the form he is in, it would not be surprising to see Messi single-handedly take the game away from Brazil in the final.
The supporting cast around is Messi is talented as well, so Argentina have a good chance of ending their long trophy drought. The 34-year old is one of the greatest to have played the game, and winning an international trophy with Argentina could cement his legacy as the greatest player of all time.
#3 Lucas Paquetá
Lucas Paquetá was arguably the best player for Tite's side in the knockout stages of the Copa America 2021. The Lyon striker has two goals in the competition for Brazil. Both were the only goals in Brazil's games against Chile in quarters and Peru in semis.
Out of the six games played in total, two of them came from the bench for Paquetá. Nevertheless, he has been equally influential for the former Copa America champions as any starter. Lucas linked quite well with the likes of Neymar and Richarlison to keep the ball in the opposition's half for the majority of many games.
The Brazilian number 17 was quick to create an impact when used as a substitute. When Paquetá scored against Chile, he had been on the pitch for less than a minute. The left-footed forward earned his coach's favor and was often preferred over Liverpool man Roberto Firmino.
#2 Marquinhos
Marquinhos, alongside his former teammate, Thiago Silva, held the Brazilian defensive line quite well throughout the tournament. The duo had an incredible run where they conceded just three goals in the entire competition. Unfortunately, one of those was against Argentina in the final.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian center-backs earned appreciation for their sheer dedication and consistent performance. However, among the two, Marquinhos is the man who stood out. The PSG captain scored the very first goal (against Venezuela) for his country in the Copa America 2021.
In addition to his game reading skills, Marquinhos' pace and aerial abilities proved was crucial for Brazil. He was a key figure in setting the ball for a counter-attack on numerous occasions.
Marquinhos was also picked as the center-back alongside Argentina's Romero in the Copa America Team of the Tournament.
#1 Neymar
Three goals, three assists and three Man of the Match awards. Do we need anything else to confirm Neymar as Brazil's top player at Copa America 2021?
The former Barcelona star entered the tournament with a lot expected from him. Even though he lost the trophy to his former teammate Leo Messi, it wouldn't be wrong to say Neymar lived up to expectations at the tournament.
Neymar's pinpoint corner-kick to find Casemiro in the dying seconds of Brazil's group stage game against Columbia was one of the stand-out moments in the tournament this year.
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Neymar also did his best for the hosts against rivals Argentina in the final. Despite having a couple of shots on target and a lot of possession in the box, the former Barcelona number 11 failed to hit the back of the net.
Neymar was also the third Brazilian player to be featured in the 2021 Copa America Team of the Tournament.
Also Check Out: Brazil Match Schedule for Copa America
