With the club season done, it is time to shift our focus to international football. The Copa America is almost upon us and it promises to be an action-packed event. Some of the world’s biggest stars are set to take part in the marquee event and the tournament is definitely not short of attacking talent.
Some talented forwards and midfielders will be taking part in this event and we take a look at 6 players who are most likely to win the Golden Boot at the Copa America:
#6 Jonas Goncalves Oliviera (Brazil)
Brazilian forward Jonas has been absolutely stunning for Benfica in the past two seasons. The prolific Benfica forward is one of the most clinical finishers in the game and Brazil will be hoping that the 32-year-old forward replicates his club form on the international level.
Jonas is one of the most complete strikers in the game and he is good in the air as well as with both feet. A late bloomer, Jonas is capable of making intelligent runs which catch the opposition defences off guard. Jonas was so good for Benfica this season that he finished on number 4 in the golden boot rankings, ahead of superstars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robert Lewandowski.
With Brazil having a number of creative players like Coutinho, WIllian and Lucas Lima, Jonas will be looking to make his mark in the Copa America.
#5 James Rodriguez (Colombia)
James Rodriguez might not have had the best of seasons fro Real Madrid but there is no denying the fact that he is one of the most talented footballers in the world. Colombia’s talisman was the standout star of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and there will be huge expectations on him to fire the Coffee makers to the Copa America title.
James can play across several positions such as the central attacking midfielder role, playmaker, winger or even in central midfield. Praised for his technical skills, vision, and his ability to create chances for team-mates as a playmaker, James Rodriguez is capable of producing the spectacular on any given occasion.
His goalscoring abilities were a highlight of the 2014 FIFA World Cup where he finished as the Golden Boot winner even though his side were eliminated in the quarterfinals. A repeat of such a performance by their talisman might inspire Colombia to the Copa America title.
#4 Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Chile’s star man Alexis Sanchez will play a key role if Chile are to defend their Copa America title. Sanchez’s drive, determination and discipline have been key to Chile’s international success in the recent past. lthough naturally right-footed, due to his ability with either foot, he is capable of playing anywhere along the front line, on either flank, or through the centre of the pitch.
Throughout his career, Sanchez has been deployed in a number of attacking positions such as a winger, supporting striker or even as a central attacking midfielder. Having scored 31 times in 93 appearances for Chile, Sanchez will be one of the most potent attacking threats for the defending champions.
The Arsenal star will be hoping to find his goalscoring touch and help Chile defend their Copa America title this year.
#3 Lionel Messi (Argentina)
The only footballer ever to win the Ballon d’Or five times, Lionel Messi is an absolute phenomenon. Although he has not been as successful with Argentina as he has been with Barcelona, Messi will be hoping to be at his best and silence his critics once and for all at the Copa America Centenario.
His pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual dribbling runs towards goal, in particular during counterattacks, usually starting from the halfway line or the right side of the pitch. Tactically, Messi plays in a free attacking role; a versatile player, he is capable of attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch.
Although he will most likely play on the right wing for Argentina, one can never discount the goalscoring abilities of the Argentine maestro and he is definitely one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot at the Copa America.
#2 Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)
With 36 goals in 35 appearances, Gonzalo Higuain has been oin fire for Napoli this season. One of the most sought after players this summer, Higuain will play a key role in Argentina’s quest for the Copa America title.
A hardworking striker and a prolific goalscorer, Higuaín is regarded as one of the top strikers of his generation, and is known in particular for his great striking ability, as well as his technical skill, and ability to hold up the ball and lay it off to other players. He is also known for his pace in the final third of the pitch, which makes him an offensive threat during counter-attacks.
Higuain finished second in the European Golden Boot standings this season and he will be hoping to go one better in this year's Copa America. Argentina is a squad filled with attacking talent and Higuain, Messi and Co will be hoping to end their long wait for a major international title.
#1 Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
The Uruguayan has just been astonishing this season scoring and setting up goals for fun. Suarez is the third most expensive player in football history and his performances over the years have shown why he is worth that much.
Supremely talented and tenacious, Luis Suarez always gives more than a 100% on the pitch. Known for his direct running and skillful dribbles, Suarez has been absolutely tormenting defenders over the years. The Barcelona forward also has a penchant for nutmegging opponents often leaving them for dead.
After a long ban from international football for the infamous biting incident on Chilleni, Luis Suarez will be chomping at the bit to show off his skills once again at a major international tournament. Fresh of winning the European Golden Boot, Luis Suarez will definitely be one of the stars to watch out for in the Copa America Centenario.
Honourable mentions – Edinson Cavani, Carlos Bacca, Hulk, Eduardo Vargas, Sergio Aguero
