Uruguay will be heading into Copa 2024 with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars as they look to win the tournament for a 16th time and reclaim their perch at the summit of American football.
When it comes to footballing history, Uruguay are certainly one of the best in the continent, on par with the likes of Argentina and Brazil but they will have a lot to do if they are to outshine their South American counterparts.
Soccernet.football takes a look at seven players who are expected to play significant roles as La Celeste seek to reclaim their throne.
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7. Ronald Araujo
Araujo has built a reputation for himself as one of Europe’s top defenders with his performances for Barcelona in the past couple of seasons.
He was one of Barca’s best players of the 2023/2024 campaign.The 25-year-old center-back will be battling the likes of Matias Vina and Sebastian Caceres for a place beside the experienced Jose Maria Gimenez in the starting lineup at the Copa America.
6. Manuel Ugarte
Ugarte is a very talented young midfielder who is capable of providing solidity and stability in the middle of the park by breaking up opposition play and driving his team forward.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a decent 2023/2024 campaign with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. He impressed in midfield for Les Parisiens this past season, sitting deep and protecting the back four.
5. Facundo Pellistri
Pellistri is a player known for versatility, dribbling, agility, technique and amazing vision on the pitch and will undoubtedly play a significant role for La Celeste in the United States.
The 22-year-old winger will have the chance to showcase his talent and prove that he can deliver at the highest level at this year’s Copa America after a difficult season with Manchester United.
4. Rodrigo Zalazar
Zalazar had a fine season for SC Braga, establishing himself as a key player for the Portuguese club. He featured in 49 matches and returned an impressive 18 goal contributions.
The 24-year-old’s ability to interpret space, open up his body, collect the ball and drive his team up the pitch could see him play a crucial role in the middle of the park for La Celeste in the United States.
3. Federico Velverde
The 25-year-old midfielder is heading to the Copa America with Uruguay off the back of winning a domestic double with Real Madrid and he will definitely be looking to add an international trophy to his CV.
Valverde is an all action player capable of playing anywhere in midfield and even further up the pitch as a winger. His tally of 11 goal involvements for Los Blancos this past season shows that he can also contribute in the final third.
2. Luis Suárez
The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker may be at the twilight of his career but he is still very much a lethal weapon in front of goal, having notched 14 goals in 21 appearances for MLS side Inter Miami.
La Celeste will be looking to the experienced 37-year-old for leadership on the attacking front and if there’s anything we know, it’s that Suárez is very capable.
1. Darwin Nunez
Nunez is one of the most exciting young center-forwards in the game presently with many of the opinion that the Liverpool man can potentially rival the likes of Haaland and Mbappe in terms of output if his finishing improves.
The 24-year-old will certainly be playing a central role for Uruguay in the United States. It is expected that he will be the starting number nine but we could also see him deployed in a wider position to accommodate Suárez.
