Check out the top prospects in the Copa América 2024 starting this week in the United States.
The Copa América kicks off this week in the United States, featuring world-renowned soccer stars like Messi and Vini Júnior, as well as young talents who are still largely unknown to the public.
On the verge of turning 18, Endrick from the Brazilian national team is one of the standout prospects in the continental tournament, but he’s not the only one. Below, we list other players under 20 to keep an eye on during the competition. Take a look!
Valentín Carboni
“He has a fantastic future. Present and future, we need to make the most of him.”
These words come from none other than Lionel Messi. At just 19 years old, Carboni was a starter for Argentina in a friendly against Guatemala last Friday and left a good impression.
The midfielder belongs to Inter Milan and is currently on loan to Monza. Raised at Lanús, he moved to Europe as a minor to join Catania and even played for Italy’s U-17 national team.
Garnacho
Another young talent from Argentina to keep an eye on. The 19-year-old left winger for Manchester United has been part of the national team since 2023.
Born in Spain, Garnacho came through the youth systems of Getafe and Atlético Madrid before moving to England.
Despite his young age, he played 50 matches for Manchester United last season, starting in 41 of them.
Darío Osorio
The right winger is one of the new faces in the Chilean national team, which is undergoing a period of renewal.
At 20 years old, he was developed by Universidad de Chile, which sold him to Denmark’s Midtjylland in 2023 for $5.2 million.
Osorio has played in various age categories for the Chilean national team and made his senior debut in 2022.
Kendry Páez
Remarkably precocious, the Ecuadorian attacking midfielder has been part of the main squad of Independiente del Valle since he was 15.
His talent quickly caught the attention of European clubs. After a battle between Chelsea and Manchester United for his signing, Chelsea came out on top. In 2025, once he turns 18, he will join the London club.
In 2023, Kendry received his first call-up to the senior national team. He made his debut with an assist in Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Uruguay in the second round of the South American World Cup Qualifiers.
Since then, he has played in seven more matches for the national team.
Savinho
Developed by Atlético-MG, the 20-year-old forward had a strong season with Girona and made a good impression in his three appearances for the Brazilian national team against England, Mexico, and the United States.
A dribbling and fast right winger, he is expected to start the Copa América on the bench but should get his chance as the tournament progresses.
He was purchased by Manchester City and could be integrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad after the continental tournament.
Julio Enciso
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder started his career with Libertad in Paraguay and was soon sold to Brighton in England.
Last season, he played in 12 Premier League matches.
He has progressed through various youth categories of the national team and received his first call-up to the senior squad in 2021.
Yaser Asprilla
The left-footed attacking midfielder, also 20 years old, is a promising talent for the future of Colombian soccer.
He began his career at Envigado and moved to Watford in the English second division in 2022.
First called up in 2022, he has already scored two goals in four matches for the national team, with his latest goal coming in a friendly against Romania in March.
Miguelito
The young Bolivian, 20 years old, plays in Brazil for Santos. However, this year he has been playing only for the junior team and may get a chance with the main team after the Copa América.
In this year’s Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, Miguelito played six games, recording four assists, four goals, and earning a reputation as one of the best midfielders in the tournament. Despite this performance, he has yet to secure a spot among the professionals.
Off-field issues have hindered his progress at Santos. Last year, he was emotionally affected by his mother’s death. Subsequently, he became a father to two children from different women. Besides these factors, he is still considered physically weak.
For Bolivia’s senior national team, he has 11 appearances and one goal.
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