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After a hectic campaign of domestic football, the spotlight will now be firmly on CONMEBOL Copa America 2021 and the UEFA Euro 2020. The two continental competitions are arguably the two biggest honours footballers can win at this level, and both have been graced by some of the game's finest.
While the European Championship is a relatively recent addition to the list of international titles, Copa America is on the other end of the spectrum. It is one of the oldest international platforms as Copa America 2021 will be the 47th edition of the competition.
It is a matter of great honour for any footballer to be called up to participate in a competition of such scale. On the flip side, it would also be a painful experience to be left out of the squad after years of hard work, and understandably so.
Although the squads for Copa America 2021 are yet to be officially announced, some big-name players have already been left in the dark over their participation. Be it due to fitness concerns, lack of form, or age, it has already been hinted that a handful of star players are not in the fray for the upcoming Copa America 2021.
On that note, here, we take a look at five such high-profile names.
Copa America 2021 — High-profile exclusions
#5 Arthur Melo | Brazil
After a very promising start to his career in Europe at Barcelona, Arthur Melo has seen his stock collapse after his move to Juventus. The midfielder was used in an ill-advised swap deal between the Bianconeri and the Blaugrana, which saw Miralem Pjanic and Arthur switch clubs. A year later, neither the Brazilian nor the Bosnian have managed to leave an impression on their new clubs.
The 24-year-old has started just 13 league games for Juventus this season, accumulating just under 1200 minutes of Serie A action. With time on his side, Arthur could still come good for Juventus.
However, as things stand, he has seemingly lost his place in the Brazil set-up, being omitted from their upcoming World Cup Qualifier squad. The 20-time Brazil international is unlikely to feature in Copa America 2021.
#4 Fernandinho | Manchester City
The second Brazilian on this list, Fernandinho, is likely to have a free summer ahead of him as he's not part of Tite's Copa America 2021 plans. The Selecao are relatively stacked in the middle of the pitch, with the likes of Casemiro, Fabinho Tavares, Douglas Luiz, and a host of others available.
Another major reason could be Fernandinho's lack of game time in England. The Manchester City captain has only started 12 games in the Cityzens' league-winning campaign, along with a further nine appearances off the bench.
Barring any serious injury ahead of the competition, the 36-year-old appears unlikely to participate in Copa America 2021 and add further to his 53 caps.
Also read: Copa America 2021: Top 5 contenders to win the tournament
#3 Mauro Icardi | Argentina
Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi is another player who has had an underwhelming campaign on an individual note. The Argentine star had impressed his new club enough for them to trigger his purchase option last year. However, he's had a forgettable season in the French capital, scoring just seven league goals in 20 appearances.
Icardi has generally found it difficult to find a spot in La Albiceleste's squad. He would have fancied his chances this time around given that Sergio Aguero has played less than 600 minutes of league football.
However, it was the 32-year-old who got the nod for their upcoming qualifying fixtures, signaling that Icardi is not in Lionel Scaloni's plans. Icardi is unlikely to make it to Copa America 2021.
#2 James Rodriguez | Colombia
Among the names on this list so far, James Rodriguez's omission is arguably the most baffling one. The midfielder is one of Los Cafeteros' most important players, and despite his fitness concerns, few would have imagined him being removed from the squad altogether.
A statement regarding Rodriguez's omission read;
"In recent days, the midfielder [Rodriguez] underwent medical examinations, which determined that he is not at the optimum level of fitness to compete, which is why he will not be able to join the group of players called up by [head coach] Reinaldo Rueda for the aforementioned matches and the South American tournament."
The Everton star did not take this well, and understandably so. He released a detailed statement expressing his dismay, which read;
"I have received the statement from the coaching staff saying that they don't count on me and they wished me a full recovery, but this is a recovery I've already made."
"The above filled me with deep disappointment because for me, it means playing for my country. Not receiving the trust from the technical body breaks with everything and causes me enormous pain, since for the shirt of the Colombia team I have always left even my life."
Rodriguez won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup and was viewed as the poster boy for Colombian football, making Reinaldo Rueda's decision a baffling one.
#1 Paulo Dybala | Argentina
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made headlines by excluding Paulo Dybala from his upcoming qualifiers and hinting that he is not a part of his plans. The Juventus superstar has had to endure a nightmare campaign at club level to begin with as Andrea Pirlo didn't seem to fancy him during the 2020-21 campaign. This, coupled with his injuries, have been a recipe for disaster.
Dybala has started just 14 games this season with a further six substitute appearances in the league, racking up four goals and three assists. The forward has been far from his best and suffered arguably his worst campaign in professional football.
Speaking on the 27-year-old's exclusion, Scaloni explained;
"He [Dybala] is a player that we always had, and we love but the lockers were almost complete and we had to make a decision. He hasn’t been playing the last few months and his club is going through a few problems with the standings and their game."
"It’s important that he joins us with rhythm, we will always have him in mind. Hopefully, he’s able to regain his form and that he can play to be able to decide later on."
Scaloni also went on to talk about how the team's needs always come first, strongly hinting that the out-of-form Argentine is unlikely to make it to the summer tournament.
Also read: Top 5 contenders for the Golden Boot at UEFA Euro 2020
