With the Copa América 2024 about to begin, football fans’ eyes are on the big stars who promise to shine on the competition’s pitches. However, there is always room for young talents with enormous potential.
Meet five boys who deserve your attention during the competition taking place in the United States, between June 20th and July 14th.
Endrick (Brazil)
Most people probably already know Endrick, who at just 17 years old already needs no comment. Revealed by Palmeiras, he needed little time as a professional before being sold to Real Madrid, a club he will join shortly after the Copa América, when he will have turned 18 years old.
The call-up to represent Brazil at the Copa América was the third of his short career. With the goal against Mexico, Endrick became the second under-18 player in history to find the net in three consecutive games for the main Brazilian team (England, Spain and Mexico).
Kendry Paez (Ecuador)
The young man from Ecuador is another case of a player who has already been sold to a European giant. Now 17 years old, Kendry Páez was bought by Chelsea in June 2023, but he will only be able to play for the English club from July 2025, when he will turn 18.
Currently at Independiente del Valle, Kendry Páez has been on the club’s professional squad since he was 15 years old. He is the youngest player to score a goal in the Ecuadorian Championship and wear the Ecuador shirt.
Many came to know him in 2024, when Independiente del Valle faced Palmeiras in the group stage of the Libertadores. Although his team lost 3-2 in the first match, the boy put on a show and scored a great goal.
Garnacho (Argentina)
Garnacho is probably the only one on this list who has already established himself in European football. Now 19 years old, the Argentine trained in Manchester United’s youth teams, where he ended the 2023/2024 season as a starter for the professional team.
In fact, the athlete scored a goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, in which his team won 2-1 and emerged champions.
He was promoted to the Manchester United first team in July 2022, so he didn’t have much time to show his football and ended up being left out of the squad for the 2022 World Cup, in which Argentina lifted the trophy. Today, Garnacho has been called up frequently and is looking for his place among the starters.
Jhon Durán (Colombia)
Revealed by Envigado FC, from Colombia, striker Jhon Durán was traded to Chicago Fire, from the USA, in 2022 and was quickly sold to Aston Villa, from England. In the English team, the 20-year-old was used a lot by coach Unai Emery this season.
Aston Villa had a great campaign in the English Championship, finishing in fifth place. A game in which Jhon Durán shone was in the 3-3 draw against Liverpool, in which he scored two goals and was the highlight of the match.
Durán’s good performance resulted in Chelsea’s speculation. In the Colombian team, he has frequently entered duels, but is still looking for his place among the starters.
Kervin Andrade (Venezuela)
The 19-year-old Venezuelan striker arrived at Fortaleza while still in the youth teams, stood out and soon moved up to the professional ranks. This season, Kervin Andrade is one of Leão do Pici’s main players and has played 21 games, with seven goals scored and four assists distributed.
The Copa América will be Kervin Andrade’s first competition with the Venezuelan team. Previously, he had already been called up by his country to participate in some friendlies in March this year.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
