'%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 CONMEBOL Copa America 2021 is set to kick off with a mouthwatering clash between Argentina and Chile.
The finalists from the 2015 and 2016 editions are set to lock horns in the opening game, while defending champions Brazil return to Copa America action against Venezuela. Record champions Uruguay will kick off their campaign against Lionel Messi's La Albiceleste.
There are a host of interesting storylines heading into Copa America 2021. This could prove to be a great opportunity for Argentina to make amends for their turbulent run in the competition. They have reached four finals in the 21st century but have failed to win any of them, and their last triumph came in 1993.
It is also important to note that Copa America 2021 could possibly be one of Lionel Messi's last opportunities to guide Argentina to glory.
Much of the same could be said about Uruguay's veteran coach Oscar Tabarez, who is into his 15th year of managing La Celeste in his second spell. Copa America 2021 could possibly be one of the 74-year-old's final few tournaments as Uruguay boss, given his age. Brazil will look to retain their title for the first time since 2007 with the likes of Thiago Silva and the returning Neymar Jr on their side.
Ahead of the upcoming tournament, here, we take a look at the five favorites to emerge victorious at Copa America 2021 this summer.
Favourites to win Copa America 2021
#5 Chile | Coach: Martin Lasarte
After reaching four finals without winning the competition back in the 20th century, Chile finally tasted South American glory in 2015. La Roja hosted the Copa America 2015 and made it all the way to the finals where they faced 14-time winners Argentina. The game ended 0-0, and Chile won 4-1 on penalties after Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega missed from the spot.
They repeated their Estadio Nacional heroics a year later at the MetLife Stadium in the USA against the same opposition in the same manner. They won 4-2 on penalties to win the second of their only two Copas America to date.
With a group of veteran stars in Eduardo Vargas, Alexis Sanchez and captain Gary Medel, Chile will hope to make underdogs all over the world proud with another victory.
#4 Colombia | Coach: Reinaldo Rueda
Colombia's hopes of co-hosting Copa America 2021 were brought to an end due to civil unrest in the country. However, they will look to make their faithful supporters proud with a good run in the competition in search of their second title in the competition. Colombia's only Copa America title came in 2001, with Víctor Aristizabal inspiring Los Cafeteros to a memorable campaign.
Reinaldo Rueda made a massive call by dropping Colombian superstar James Rodriguez from his squad. The Everton man's lack of fitness was cited as the reason for the headline omission from the side.
However, Colombia still have many experienced campaigners, including David Ospina, Juan Cuadrado and captain Radamel Falcao among others.
Also read: Ranking the top 5 Golden Boot contenders at Copa America 2021
#3 Uruguay | Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Record champions Uruguay will enter Copa America 2021 in search of what could possibly be their 16th title. Despite their utter dominance in the competition, having reached a total of 21 finals, most of their success came in prior to 2000. La Celeste have only reached one final since the turn of the century, which was when they won the competition back in 2011.
Oscar Tabarez has one of the more impressive pools of players to choose from in comparison to the other Copa America 2021 sides. His options include in-form veteran strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez in attack. Tabarez also has the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Fede Valverde in the middle, along with Jose Maria Gimenez and Diego Godin at the back.
With a good mix of experienced stars and some impressive young players on their side, Uruguay could fancy their chances this summer.
#2 Argentina | Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Argentina have arguably endured the most turbulent period among the well-established nations in Copa America. With no title to show for since 1993 and four runner-up medals in a 12-year-span, La Albiceleste are in dire need of a strong run at Copa America 2021.
Lionel Scaloni's men will hope to break their winless streak in style. The 43-year-old has an interesting set of players to call upon, such as Lautaro Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria, and of course, Lionel Messi.
Copa America 2021 could be an opportunity to make amends for their two final losses in 2015 and 2016, losing on penalties on both occasions.
#1 Brazil | Coach: Tite
Nine-time Copa America winners Brazil enter the tournament as the favorites to retain their crown and win it for the tenth time in their history. The Selecao had a brilliant campaign in 2019 as Tite's men lifted the trophy for the first time since 2007, winning 3-1 in the final against underdogs Peru.
Dani Alves put in an inspired display during the competition and won the Golden Ball award, while Everton and Alisson Becker won the Golden Boot and Golden Glove respectively. With Neymar expected to be fit and available for selection, Brazil have a brilliant opportunity to win successive Copas America for the first time in over a decade.
Apart from the superstar forward, the likes of Marquinhos, Fabinho, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, and other high-profile names are also expected to be called up.
Also read: 5 Most valuable players at UEFA Euro 2020
Kindly help Sportskeeda's Football section improve. Take a 30-second survey now.
