'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2019 Copa America will start on the 14th of June and it is hard for fans to not think about it. Teams like Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Columbia will fight it out in Brazil for the grand prize. It doesn't get bigger than this in South America and all the teams are sweating it out.
Brazil dealt with a severe blow as Neymar was ruled out of the 46th edition of the Copa America. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed the news after the PSG star was substituted. Neymar, who was carried off the field was in tears after realizing that he could no longer be a part of the Brazilian team for the tournament.
Neymar had recovered from a knee injury and was fit enough to take part in the friendly against Qatar. However, he had an ankle problem during the first half. The former Barcelona player will be out of action for the foreseeable future due to ligament rupture in his right ankle.
Without their talisman, Brazil's chances could take a serious blow. Fortunately, there are quite a few players that Tite can choose from as a replacement for Neymar. Tite has a week's time to confirm the replacement player. On that note, here's a look at 5 players who could replace Neymar.
#5 Felipe Anderson
Felipe Anderson emerged as one of the best signings of the season in the 2018/19 Premier League. He was a key player for West Ham United and helped them finish in the top half of the league table. He was instrumental in helping the London-based club defeat heavyweights like Arsenal and Manchester United.
He was a creative player for them at the left wing and created 10 big chances. Anderson scored 10 goals and assisted on 5 occasions in 40 games across all competitions. He is also good at scoring goals from distance. The former Lazio player even made 41 interceptions. He is good at defending and can make some vital contributions in his half of the field.
All stats from Transfermarkt.com and Premierleague.com
#4 Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior is unarguably one of the best young players in the world. At the tender age of 18, he has created waves in the world of football. He was one of the few shining lights for Real Madrid in what was a dismal season for them. He scored 7 goals and assisted 13 goals in 36 appearances this season.
He was excellent for them on the left flank and showed a lot of talent. However, he wasn't very consistent, something which is natural with a young player. He was ruled out for nearly 2 months with a ruptured knee ligament and only just returned to action. While he has the skills to deliver the goods, his inexperience and lack of full fitness could see him pushed down the ladder as Neymar's replacement at the show-piece event.
#3 Rodrygo
Rodrygo is one of the many young talents to have come out of Brazil in recent times. The 18-year-old plays for Santos in the Brazilian Serie A. He will move to Real Madrid for the 2019/20 season after being bought for a rumoured €40 million. Rodrygo Goes is a pacy left winger and can bring about an element of mystery in the Brazilian squad. He is an excellent dribbler is a creative player.
This season, he has already scored once and assisted twice in 4 games. Last season, he scored 9 goals and assisted thrice in 43 games for Santos. He is a regular for the Brazil U20 side for whom he has scored thrice and assisted once in 10 games. The youngster can also play as centre-forward if needed, and can thrive on home soil for the senior team.
#2 Pedro
Pedro is yet another young player on this list, and this list is a sample of the talent present in the South American country. Pedro has been sensational for Fluminense over the last 2 years. He has been linked with a move to some of Europe's elite clubs including Manchester United. This is certainly a good indication of the talent he possesses.
The 21-year-old could have made his national debut last year after being called up by Tite for a couple of friendlies. However, he couldn't take part due to injury concerns and was replaced by Richarlison. Last season, he scored 12 goals and assisted twice in just 23 games. However, his season was cut-short due to an injury.
However, he has returned with a bang as he has scored 3 goals in 5 appearances for his club. The centre-forward has been called up by Brazil for the Toulon Tournament. However, they might want to pull him out of that tournament and draft him in for the Copa America.
#1 Lucas Moura
Lucas Moura is the favourite to replace Neymar, and he could earn himself a 3rd Copa America call-up. He was a part of the tournament in 2011 and 2016 as well. He was superb for Tottenham Hotspur this season and carried them to the Champions League final. He scored a sensational hat-trick against Ajax in the UCL semi-final to set-up a final for Spurs with Liverpool.
Lucas Moura has great speed and can run past opposition defenders with ease. He can play in a variety of attacking positions, which makes him a tempting option. He scored 15 goals and assisted twice in 49 games this season. The 26-year-old was unlucky to miss out on the 23 man squad. However, he could still be a part of the tournament as he is most likely to replace Neymar.
