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The Copa America is yet another stab at glory for South America’s finest to claim the continental crown. All eyes will be glued to the usual suspects such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to stand up and deliver in their national colors. Other names like Paulo Dybala and Gabriel Jesus would have to live up to the hopes pinned onto them to finally announce themselves on the international stage.
Regardless of whether a major tournament brings silverware, it could ignite the start of a dynasty. An era that is defined by a team that embodies the core principle of the beautiful game, i.e., collective excellence. In order to turn such a manifestation into a reality, the figures that possess a certain sense of anonymity must flourish and become household names to create a team of superstars that can conquer international competitions.
It all rests on a player rising to the occasion with a moment, which eventually turns into a habit that contributes to an overarching national movement.
Here are five players who could potentially announce themselves on the international front in the upcoming continental tournament.
#1 David Neres
To simply classify 2019 as a breakthrough year for David Neres would be an understatement of the highest order. The diminutive winger set Ajax’s dream run to the Champions League semi-final alight with glittering displays against Europe’s elite. Neres sent shockwaves across the Santiago Bernabeu with an assured dinked finish to all but confirm a shock victory for the visitors. If this was not enough proof of the mercurial wideman’s talents, Neres’ immaculate solo strike against Juventus in the quarter-finals easily qualifies one of the standout moments of individual brilliance in Europe this season.
Coming up with the goods on the biggest of stages has led to Neres earning his first international cap for Brazil against Czech Republic in March earlier this year. Tite’s sheer faith in the de Godenzonen man took a major leap when he made the audacious call of favoring Neres as one of the forwards in the squad over the experienced Lucas Moura and the precocious Vinicius Junior. At just 22 years of age, the young starlet truly has the world at his feet.
Boasting an embarrassment of riches upfront, the addition of a prospect such as Neres is both a throwback to the heyday of the Samba Boys. Furthermore, he is a modern winger who can provide the workmanship to not only thrive, but also combine with his troops. He has a golden opportunity to step up in the injured Neymar’s absence.
#2 Duvan Zapata
Before Duvan Zapata’s phenomenal goalscoring exploits propelled him amongst Europe’s highest goalscorers, one could be forgiven for being oblivious of the Colombian’s predatorial instincts. However, his rapid ascent is an underdog story that would turn even the biggest of skeptics into believers.
At 28 years of age and plying his trade at Italian club Atalanta on loan from Sampdoria, Zapata would be the last man to be tipped to outperform an unstoppable Cristiano Ronaldo in the goalscoring charts. However, as the former Napoli forward has constantly proven this campaign, he is far from a flash in the pan. Finishing 2 goals ahead of the Portuguese skipper with 23 under his belt and being the lynchpin behind his club’s 3rd-placed finish, Zapata’s heroics merit applause. Rewind to the previous campaign which makes for mediocre reading as he ended with less than 50% of his tally at just 11 goals and Atalanta secured a mid-table finish at 7th.
Not only is the burly forward a threat in front of goal, but with 7 assists in the league, Zapata has used his physicality, tireless pressing and strong weak foot to grow into a talented creator. A prime example of these attributes was against Roma when he nicked the ball off Kostas Manolas, beat him for pace and threaded through an immaculate pass for Rafael Toloi to dispatch.
Taking into account his comprehensiveness as a striker, Zapata could take a leaf out of James Rodriguez’s book from the 2014 World Cup. Just as the then-Monaco attacking midfielder bagged the Golden Boot and became Europe’s most in-demand attacking midfielder, the Atalanta frontman could steal the headlines at the Copa America and became a name on all of the top clubs’ transfer lists come this summer.
#3 Nahitan Nandez
Nahitan Nandez is the embodiment of the garra charrua Uruguayan spirit which translates to 'defying all odds'. A defensive midfielder by trade, he has performed at his tenacious best this campaign, averaging a fine 3.8 tackles and interceptions for Boca Juniors. During the 2018 World Cup, Nandez shone as a complete package in the middle of the park and is perhaps the most complete in his position out of Uruguay’s current crop of gifted midfielders.
While he tends to operate from the base of midfield, Nandez’s precise passing and surging runs can also enable him to thrive as a box-to-box midfielder. Much like Manchester City’s Fernandinho, the Uruguay international is also comfortable with the ball at his feet which makes him an effective ball-carrier as he often kicks his side’s counter-attack into gear. Nandez’s versatility sets him apart from his national counterparts as Oscar Tabarez often deployed the 23-year old in a tucked-inside right wing position.
In a Uruguayan midfield that boasts a wealth of talent in Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Torreira and Matias Vecino, Nandez’s unbelievable footballing brain makes him an indispensable cog in the side that will live up to its ‘contenders’ tag at the Copa America.
#4 Miguel Almiron
Miguel Almiron’s record breaking €24m move from Atlanta United to Newcastle United is a monumental step in the growth of both Major League Soccer as a competition and football as a sport in the United States. Yet, the Paraguayan winger continues to remain an unfamiliar commodity in England and throughout the world. In the Premier League, this lack of recognition stems from the fact that Almiron put pen to paper in January and has only started 8 matches for the Magpies. Naturally, the transition in terms of playing in one of the toughest leagues in the world is not seamless for anyone and the Paraguayan is yet to register a goal or an assist.
Despite Almiron’s initial struggles, the Magpies supporters are well aware of his stunning displays for The Five Stripes. In his 2 seasons at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 25-year old has lit up proceedings in the MLS with 20 goals and 19 assists. He is capable of the spectacular as he showcased with his darting run to score a winner against Columbus Crew and simultaneously, Almiron is a grafter who has no qualms about tracking back as well as pressing high from the front.
Despite not being the most physically imposing specimen with a wiry frame and standing at 5’9", Almiron is certainly down for the dogfight that will make him crucial for Paraguay at the Copa America. Grouped alongside 2 of the tournament favorites in Argentina and Colombia, it is players such as Almiron who will fight for the cause in both halves of the pitch that can bring the cliché, “stranger things have happened in football” to life.
#5 Almoez Ali
Almoez Ali is the poster boy of Qatari football. His iconic displays at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 earned him the Golden Boot with 9 goals in the competition. Qatar entered the tournament with no expectations of emerging as winners. If it were not for Ali’s clinical finishing up top, Felix Sanchez and Co. would not be eligible for the Copa America in the first place.
The CONMEBOL offered 2 of Asia’s best teams in Qatar and Japan to partake in the competition and go toe-to-toe with South American stalwarts who ply their trade at European superpowers. The Maroons, however would not be daunted by the prospects of facing such a tall order as this is nothing more than a once in a lifetime opportunity for their side. One may even put forth the argument that the presence of Ali could make them a headache for several of the competition’s defences.
In a scenario where Ali does showcase that he has the minerals to compete against such high caliber opposition, he immediately becomes an option for a European club which would be a colossal step for not only Qatar as a footballing nation, but Asian football on the whole. Only time will tell whether Qatar’s talisman will sink or swim in Brazil, but what cannot be denied is that he is one to watch out for.
