Champions of the Champions League, the Premier League and competing at a high level in Europe, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Julián Álvarez, Mac Allister, Luis Díaz, Valverde, among others, are asking for a place in the Copa América. This is yet another example that South American football is an inexhaustible source of young talent.
The list is extensive, but it already includes players who have not even reached their 20th birthday, such as Endrick (17), Real Madrid’s new star, and Argentine Alejandro Garnacho (19), Manchester United’s standout.
In the Copa América, which will be played from June 20th to July 14th in the United States, the baton passing will begin slowly: Garnacho will share a dressing room with star Lionel Messi (36), whose farewell is not too far away. His teammate Ángel Di María, also 36 years old, has already announced his decision to retire from the Argentine national team after the Copa América.
Argentina will make a more organized and natural transition than Brazil, which was unable to have Neymar as a reference for the younger players due to injuries and off-field problems.
With a performance well below expectations, the Seleção occupies only sixth place in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Coach Dorival Júnior did not call up names for the Copa América that were in the 2022 World Cup, such as Neymar (injured) , Casemiro, Richarlison, Antony and Gabriel Jesus. Rodrygo and Vini Jr., Champions League winners with Real Madrid, are responsible for leading the Seleção, Copa América champion in 2019, at home.
“We have a competition that demands a long time together. This team will be able to acquire everything we imagine could happen. I hope this response happens on the field. The work will be intense to ensure the team’s balance and the best possible performance “, stated Dorival when releasing the squad list for the Copa América.
The month of the CONMEBOL Copa América™ has arrived 💫 pic.twitter.com/fXzCdDguCV
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) June 1, 2024
Uruguay and Colombia undergoing renewal; Chile in trouble
Also an absolute starter at Real Madrid, midfielder Federico Valverde (25 years old) takes the lead in the renewal of the Uruguayan team, led by Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa and whose reference is striker Luis Suárez. Despite this, Uruguay does not just count on Valverde. Striker Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) and midfielder Rodrigo Betancur (Tottenham) are other prominent names in European football.
Colombia is also a team that has been making a gradual transition, mixing experienced players like James Rodríguez and Juan Fernando Quintero with younger high-level strikers, especially Luis Díaz (Liverpool). This task is being successfully carried out by Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo, a disciple of José Pekerman, a specialist in youth management.
On the other hand, fellow Argentine Ricardo Gareca faces many difficulties in the search for replacements for the “golden generation” champions Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez, pillars of Chile’s only two Copa América titles, in 2015 and 2016.
The 2024 Copa América, which will be contested by ten South American teams and six from Concacaf, will feature players in full development and qualified to inherit the roles of Messi, Neymar, Suárez and James.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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