Argentina mounted a successful Copa title defense in the United States, fending off competition from several top sides including Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Columbia to establish themselves as the best team on the continent.
The tournament was full of excitement and surprises as some of the biggest football stars shone brightly for their respective nations while others re-established their credentials as world class players.
Soccernet.football has ranked some of the best players from Copa America 2024.
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10. Piero Hincapié
Fresh off an absolutely sensational 2023/2024 campaign with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, Hincapié displayed fine form for Ecuador, enjoying a standout campaign at the Copa America. The 22-year-old relished his individual battles and showed a surprising amount of attacking quality for La Tri with one goal to show for his efforts.
9. Maxime Crepeau
Canada’s goalkeeper deserves a shout on this list following his performance for the Copa America debutants in the United States. Crepeau was solely responsible for keeping the scoreline of Canada’s opener against Argentina respectable, making a good number of saves to keep out La Albiceleste’s star-studded attack. His heroics between the sticks was pivotal in Canada’s run to the semi-final.
8. Emiliano Martinez
Another goalkeeper makes the list in Argentina’s penalty shootout hero Martinez. The 31-year-old stole the show in the quarter-final when he kept out two penalties in the shootout against Ecuador to send Argentina into the semi-final. Martinez was also important for the Copa champions during games, making crucial saves when he was called upon.
7. Federico Valverde
The 25-year-old midfielder carried his fantastic club form into the Copa America. Just as he did for Real Madrid in their continental double winning campaign, Valverde was everywhere on the pitch for Uruguay in the United States, winning tackles in the middle of the park, creating chances and contributing to the end product in the final third. Mr. Versatile was such a joy to watch throughout the tournament.
6. Lionel Messi
Argentina’s talisman saw his tournament hampered by niggling injuries and as such, he had a relatively quiet tournament with just one goal and one assist to his name. However, he still had a huge impact on La Albiceleste’s games whenever he was on the pitch, creating a tournament high seven big chances as well as thirteen total chances created.
5. Daniel Munoz
The 28-year-old full-back was one of the brightest players in a competition where most full-backs put up below-par displays for their nations. Munoz was instrumental in Crystal Palace’s late resurgence in the 2023/2024 Premier League season and he maintained his levels for Colombia at the Copa America, scoring two goals and providing an assist. Barring his sending off in the semi-final against Uruguay, Munoz enjoyed a fantastic Copa campaign.
4. Luis Diaz
The Liverpool winger was at his electric best in the United States where his ability to stretch opposition defenses was on full display. The 27-year-old was Colombia’s danger man at the Copa America, often at the center of everything good Los Cafeteros produced in attack with two goals to show for his efforts. Unfortunately, he couldn’t lead Columbia to victory against Argentina in the final.
3. Salomon Rondon
The Venezuela skipper led his nation from the front as they enjoyed a record-breaking group stage campaign, winning all their group games for the first time in history. Rondon scored twice and provided an assist as La Vinotinto progressed into the quarter-final where the 34-year-old also scored a screamer against Canada, catching Crepeau off his line with a pinpoint strike from range.
2. Lautaro Martinez
The perfect definition of a super-sub at the Copa America, Martinez fired La Albiceleste to their third major trophy in as many years despite making the bulk of his appearances in the United States from the bench. Martinez notched five goals in six matches with three of his goals, including his extra-time winner in the final against Columbia, coming in substitute appearances.
1. James Rodriguez
Despite Martinez’s heroics off the bench for Argentina, James Rodriguez’s revival at Copa America 2024 remains the biggest eye-catching event of the tournament. The 33-year-old rolled back the years and displayed glimpses of the player who took the 2014 World Cup in Brazil by storm. The Columbian was at his creative best in the United States, registering 6 assists alongside his lone goal in the tournament. A worthy MVP winner!
