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South American players are perhaps the most flamboyant, most sought after, and the most unpredictable footballers in the world. There has never been an era where the world of football has not been ruled by a South American footballer.
Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Neymar are just a few examples of an exceptional breed of players who tend to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.
Premier League has also been a regular attraction for the South American stars where they take the centre stage and entertain us with their skill and their penchant to draw reactions from the opposition in a mischievous way.
Thus it was only fitting that we take a closer look at some of the best South American players to have played in the Premier League.
#5. Gilberto Silva (Arsenal 2002-08)
The Brazilian had a wonderful 2002 World Cup campaign and soon after, he made the switch from Atletico Mineiro to the Highbury.
Gilberto went on to become one of Arsenal’s most reliable players and partnered Patrick Vieira to guide yhe Gunners to their ‘Invincible’ title-winning 2003-04 season. Arsenal managed to not lose a single game that Premier League season and Gilberto played a huge role in it.
It was Gilberto and Vieira’s solidity from the midfield which allowed the likes of Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, and Dennis Bergkamp to play free-flowing football.
Gilberto made 170 appearances for Arsenal and emerged as one of the leaders in the dressing room to guide the club to their new stadium and became a mentor to young players like Cesc Fabregas and others.
Like his nickname "The Invisible Wall" he remained at the backseat of many Arsenal successes but when it needed a strong performance, Gilberto could go through an actual wall for his team.
Also check out: Premier League Premier League Table Champions League table
#4. Carlos Tevez (West Ham 2006-07, Man United 2007-09, Man City 2009-13)
Speaking of controversial, no one comes close to Carlos Tevez and what he brought to Premier League football. Tevez’s career in England started with a controversial transfer to West Ham amidst irregularities over his economic rights.
Tevez then went on to score on the last day of 2006-07 season to ensure West Ham somehow managed to stay in the Premier League winning seven of their nine games which meant Sheffield United had to be relegated that season.
A move to Manchester United followed where he won two back-to-back Premier League titles, a Champions League winner’s medal, and the FIFA Club World Cup. However, his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson went sour and he ended up signing for United’s noisy and hated rival – Manchester City.
The Argentine striker became a cult figure at the Etihad scoring 58 times in 113 appearances and went on to become the ‘Only South American Player’ to win the Premier League title with two different clubs, a record which still stands.
#3. Fernandinho (Manchester City 2013-Present)
Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, Fernandinho will go down as one Premier League’s modern-day greats. Hailed as one of the holding midfield players in European football, Fernandinho has laid a solid foundation for many of Manchester City’s recent title-winning teams.
In terms of technique, mentality, and adaptability of the game, Fernandinho is perhaps the most important player for all Manchester City managers in recent seasons. The Brazilian acts as the spine of the side and allows the fair players to go on and do their thing.
He is Pep Guardiola’s go-to man when it comes to a crisis situation as we have seen this season how Fernandinho has been asked to play in central defence amidst Vincent Kompany’s departure and Aymeric Laporte’s long-term injury.
#2. Luis Suarez (Liverpool 2011-14)
In terms of individual performances, Luis Suarez’s 2013-14 season with Liverpool will be on par with Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2007-08 season as perhaps the greatest ever in Premier League’s history.
Suarez was in the Premier League for three seasons but even in that short span, he left an unforgettable mark on English football.
From biting Branislav Ivanovic to his racial altercation with Patrice Evra kind of overshadowed the brilliance of Uruguayan striker when he was on the pitch.
That 2013-14 season I referred earlier was sensational from Suarez. He almost won Liverpool the league title single-handedly if not for the seven-match ban he got for biting Ivanovic at the end of 2012-13 campaign.
Despite missing seven games, Suarez ended the 2013-14 season with 31 goals and won Premier League’s Golden Boot. The Uruguayan was perhaps the last enigmatic centre forward in the Premier League who came from South America and left the English fans lost for words.
#1. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City 2011- Present)
How can you end this list without recalling that epic “Aguerrrroooooooooooo” moment from 2011-12 season finale, when Sergio Kun Aguero won Manchester City their first Premier League title with virtually last kick of the season?
Aguero has gone on to win four Premier League titles, become Manchester City’s all-time record goalscorer, and still continues to score goals for fun. Aguero’s goal returns are frightening at many levels and his ability to score in crucial matches is second to none.
However, despite all the plaudits that go his way, many believe he still does not get the due credit for his contribution to the game. Put all his goal-scoring aside, the way he managed to withstand Pep Guardiola’s initial lack of trust in him is extraordinary.
Here he was facing a manager turning on him for the very first time in his career and had he been softer, he would have chosen any club to play his football and he would have taken the easier way out. But Aguero stood his ground, proved Pep wrong and he continued to lead the line for Manchester City whenever he is at 100% fitness.
