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#3 Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been hailed as Argentina's trump card in the Copa America 2021 final after his heroics in the penalty shootout helped the Albiceleste beat Colombia in the semi-final. He saved three spot-kicks in the crucial game. Martinez's graph has been steadily rising ever since he was drafted into the Arsenal first team and played a part in their FA Cup win in 2019-20.
Martinez also impressed in his first season at Aston Villa last season and has carried his form and confidence into Copa America 2021. If the game culminates in a penalty shootout, Argentina might have the upper hand because of their custodian.
#2 Neymar (Brazil)
A new, mature and determined Neymar seems to have taken to the field at Copa America 2021. Working from his favourite left wing, the magician has been running the show for Brazil at the tournament, despite his penchant for falling all too easily still rearing its ugly head at times.
Neymar has made three goals at Copa America 2021 and netted two, but has consistently got into great positions both in terms of scoring as well as creating. One can even say that he would have scored even more goals had his finishing been a bit more incisive.
With Casemeiro and Fred holding fort behind him, Neymar has had the freedom to link up with Paqueta and Richarlison and cause havoc in the opposing penalty box. He said before the final that he wanted to meet Argentina in the final and he has now got his wish. Neymar seems to be in the mood for it, too.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Even his ardent fans must be wondering how La Pulga does it. The 34-year-old is not getting any younger. but his game certainly seems to be getting better if it were humanly possible.
Lionel Messi has been by far the best player at Copa America 2021, even exceeding his already superhuman levels by conjuring delectable assists and breathtaking free-kicks. Only once when he hit the post from a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper did he seem human.
With four goals and five assists, Messi is topping both charts at the tournament, but numbers do not adequately reveal how he carries this team. Can he carry Argentina to victory one more time with some help from his compatriots and finally win a final for Albiceleste? His fans and much of the world of football will hope he does so.
