The 46th edition of the Copa America promises another exhibition for some of football’s brightest talents.
Lionel Messi’s dogged pursuit of a first piece of silverware with Argentina and Philippe Coutinho’s revitalisation with hosts Brazil provide two of the major storylines. But beyond the obvious names, talent abounds.
Here is a list of players who could either rise to prominence, or earn major moves to Europe, on the back of their exploits from June 14-July 7:
RICHARLISON
Nation: Brazil
Club: Everton
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Caps (goals): 10 (5)
A Neymar-sized hole exists in the Brazil attack – and in-form Richarlison looks capable of filling it.
The Everton forward has adapted perfectly to the demands of international football since his senior debut in September 2018. An average of a goal every 104.6 minutes – a ratio boosted by strikes in both warm-ups – is eminently impressive, particularly when half of his 10 caps have come as a substitute.
Ajax’s David Neres is likely to be the immediate beneficiary of Neymar’s continued injury frustrations. Yet, Richarlison is now guaranteed to start and has grown significantly in prominence.
Brazil’s generous opening to Group A against Bolivia provides opportunity to gain early momentum. Watch them and Richarlison fly.
WUILKER FARINEZ
Nation: Venezuela
Club: Millonarios
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 21
Caps (goals): 14 (0)
A quiet buzz has been developing about this Venezuelan generation and their athletic custodian.
Farinez was the defiant figure in goal when they outstripped expectation and made it to the 2017 U-20 World Cup final, even netting a penalty during the group-stage thrashing of Vanuatu. Now, comes a prominent opportunity to wow at senior level after he was an unused member of the 2015 Copa squad as a 16-year-old.
The Millonarios shot stopper is a throwback. Phenomenal reflexes and a remarkable spring are the main weapons in his armoury, because of his relative lack of height at six-feet tall.
Links to Barcelona, as the new back-up to Germany’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, will only strengthen if he ensures Venezuela’s rise continues from Group A.
RODRIGO DE PAUL
Nation: Argentina
Club: Udinese
Position: Winger
Age: 25
Caps (goals): 4 (0)
Rookie coach Lionel Scaloni is not alone when, seemingly, being unaware of Argentina’s best XI.
The return of Messi provides comfort, but World Cup 2018 evidence even he cannot do it all alone. This is where De Paul, potentially, enters.
The 25-year-old enjoyed his best season in Europe in 2018/19, notching nine goals and eight assists for an awful Udinese. His ability to dribble at high speed and deliver quality should see him emerge ahead of Matias Suarez and Marcos Acuna.
Napoli are already confirmed admirers. If his drive can prevent embarrassment at the hands of Colombia and Paraguay in Group B, they may gain unwanted company.
TAKEFUSA KUBO
Nation: Japan
Club: FC Tokyo
Position: Forward
Age: 18
Caps (goals): 1 (0)
The time has arrived for Japan’s latest prodigy to deliver.
Kubo’s career is in its infancy, only debuting for Japan last weekend as a substitute against El Salvador. But a mesmerising talent that has led to the predictable ‘Japanese Messi’ nickname has withstood remarkable complication.
From joining Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy as a 10-year-old, to being at the centre of a scandal surrounding violations of FIFA policy on signing under-18s that led to a transfer ban four years later.
An enforced move home to FC Tokyo could not stunt the squat forward’s development, becoming part of the first team aged just 15. He now comes into the Copa on the back of four goals in his last four J1 League appearances, plus enduring links to Barca and Paris Saint-Germain back in Europe.
Japan’s long search for a new Hidetoshi Nakata should be at an end.
DUVAN ZAPATA
Nation: Colombia
Club: Atalanta
Position: Centre forward
Age: 28
Caps (goals): 9 (1)
Radamel Falcao’s supremacy at Colombia faces a grave threat.
There isn’t anything more Zapata could be doing to unseat one of his nation’s grandees. The hulking striker netted a career-best 23 times in 37 Serie A fixtures last term, propelling Atalanta into third place and entry into the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Some turnaround after he was not considered strong enough to progress from Colombia’s provisional squad for World Cup 2018.
A first goal in his ninth cap came as a substitute in Sunday’s 3-0 friendly thrashing of Peru. Pertinently, this came as a half-time substitute after Falcao succumbed to minor injury.
The temptation for boss Carlos Queiroz to hand Zapata a spot in the XI for the weekend’s Group B-opener is high.
