Argentina will face Colombia in the Copa America final, where era-defining icon Lionel Messi will face off against the tournament's best player. Players from Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Inter Miami are among the names to watch as we head into Sunday's exciting final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Here's Win Betting Tips best player of Copa America rankings.
Ranking the 10 best players of the Copa America
10. Moise Bombito
Canada's first-ever Copa America campaign saw them reach the semi-finals, their best performance at a major tournament. Jesse Marsch's side didn't do anything too special, with results that included a 2-0 loss to Argentina, a 1-0 win over 10-man Peru, a 0-0 draw with 10-man Chile, a penalty shootout win over Venezuela, and another 2-0 loss to Argentina.
However, Canada was well-organized, defensively solid, and performed well in two competitive matches against the current world champions. Colorado Rapids center-back Bombito was the standout performer in a string of solid defensive performances.
We already have a pretty good idea of who will win the Player of the Tournament award, along with some serious contenders, so you can consider this 10th-place spot an honorable mention for a player who has had a great tournament. It's no surprise that European clubs are said to be interested.
9. Federico Valverde
Real Madrid star Federico Valverde has lifted the Champions League trophy once again, continuing to assert his important position in the Los Blancos squad. At the same time, he is also the leader and shaper of the Uruguayan midfield under coach Marcelo Bielsa. With a wonderful combination of abundant energy and excellent technical ability, Valverde seems to have been shaped perfectly to become the ideal player that Bielsa has always been searching for. His presence in matches always makes a big difference, from excellent interceptions to the ability to launch creative attacks.
However, like in the case of "Bombito" (Valverde's nickname), although he has not had the opportunity to win a major individual award if one day this prestigious award does not fall into the hands of a player who reaches the final, Valverde will certainly be the most deserving person to receive it. With undeniable contributions, he continues to be one of the brightest talents in the current generation of players.
8. Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister may not be Argentina's standout player by any standards, but he has proven his worth. Just like in the World Cup, Mac Allister has been outstanding, with a series of neat and reliable performances in midfield. Although he hasn't grabbed the spotlight like other big stars, he has always done his job well, helping out in defense and starting attacks effectively.
It's no surprise that legend Sergio Agüero, who has witnessed Mac Allister's development, has touted him as one of Argentina's future leaders after Lionel Messi retires. Mac Allister's consistency and maturity in important matches have made him one of the players expected to inherit Messi's leadership role, maintaining the identity and strength of the Argentine team in upcoming tournaments.
7. Luis Diaz
Luis Díaz, like his Liverpool teammates, is not Colombia’s best player. However, he is still one of the most important players in the squad. With his pace and technical ability, Díaz is a constant threat in the final third. He can create decisive plays, disrupt opposition defenses, and play a key role in starting attacks.
Although he does not command the same attention as other stars, Díaz is an indispensable cog in Colombia’s style of play. The team is gradually becoming a rising force, and with talent like Díaz, they will be a team to watch at major tournaments. There is no doubt that Colombia will be a team to watch at the upcoming World Cup, and we can expect impressive performances from them.
6. Lautaro Martinez
Coming into this tournament after his best season with Inter, in which he won the Capocannoniere award as Serie A's top scorer and led the Nerazzurri to the title, Martínez is in a confident mood.
He is the frontrunner for the Golden Boot with four goals, despite starting just one important match for Argentina. After failing to score in the quarter-final draw with Ecuador, Julián Álvarez returned to the starting line-up.
It will be interesting to see which option Lionel Scaloni opts for in the final. If Martinez is benched, he could still be decisive, having scored big goals as a substitute in the defending champions' group-stage wins over Peru and Chile.
5. Lisandro Martinez
From one Martinez to another: Lisandro Martinez.
European viewers could be forgiven for thinking that the Inter striker had scored after waking up, eyes closed, only to see what was happening in Argentina's quarter-final against Ecuador. But, to their surprise, it was someone else. The diminutive Manchester United defender snuck in to head home from a corner in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
He was replaced by veteran Nicolás Otamendi before Ecuador equalized in the final minute, which means that Martínez has yet to concede in four starts and 348 minutes of Copa América football this summer. He carried his superb FA Cup final form across the Atlantic.
4. Davinson Sanchez
Last season, the former Tottenham defender started less than half of Galatasaray's relentless title run as he struggled with injuries. He was a constant presence in Colombia's run to the Copa América final, a rock at the back.
Sanchez produced one of his best performances of the entire tournament in Colombia's semi-final win against in-form Uruguay, marshaling the defense and keeping a clean sheet as they played for nearly an hour with 10 men following a pair of first-half yellow cards for Daniel Munoz. It was a heroic display that left Bielsa's men with relatively few chances.
3. Lionel Messi
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner produced a string of superb performances as Argentina won the Copa América and later the World Cup in Qatar, ending the captain's long wait for international silverware. He scored and provided plenty of assists in both Brazil and Qatar, and was undoubtedly the best player in both tournaments.
This time around, things were a little different, showing the first evidence that his advancing years might finally be catching up with him. He managed just one (ridiculous) goal and one assist on his way to the final, where Argentina certainly benefited from their favorable draw.
However, what is ordinary by Messi's standards is still pretty special by anyone else's. He was named Man of the Match in the 2-0 semi-final win over Canada and is still capable of delivering. We would be foolish to leave him off the list of players who produced something special against Colombia.
2. Emiliano Martinez
Gianluigi Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament at the recent Euros, but no goalkeeper has ever won the Player of the Tournament award at the Copa America. However, Aston Villa's number one, Emiliano Martinez, has proven his brilliance at the Copa America by being named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament after delivering a superb performance from the penalty spot.
Martinez made a superb penalty save in the quarter-final shootout against Ecuador, saving Messi from embarrassment. Having saved two penalties, he continues to show his incredible talent. Incredibly, only half of the 24 penalties Martinez has faced for Argentina have been converted into goals. In addition, he has conceded just one goal in five Copa America appearances.
1. James Rodriguez
The Colombian has struggled in recent years as the trend in club football has moved away from the traditional No.10 role. He hasn't made a single appearance for Sao Paulo recently. But, my God, he continues to deliver for his country.
Look at him with a ball at his feet, and it could be 2014. You feel 10 years younger. Close your eyes, and you can hear the ITV's 'Brazil, Brazil' theme tune.
We can't help but admire James' incredible resurgence. He's been Colombia's standout performer so far, as they topped a group that included Brazil, eliminated Uruguay, and extended their unbeaten run to 28 games in all competitions.
He has been named Man of the Match in four of his five appearances, scoring once and providing a record six assists at the Copa America. It's incredible.
Barring something extraordinary in the final, James is guaranteed to win the Player of the Tournament award. Long live the return of the king.
Conclusion
In conclusion, James Rodriguez, with his exceptional performance at the Copa America, truly deserves to be crowned the best player of the tournament. Despite no longer being a key figure at his club, James has demonstrated his immense talent and leadership for the Colombian national team. With 6 assists, 1 goal, and winning the Man of the Match award in 4 out of 5 appearances, he has been pivotal in maintaining his team's unbeaten streak. If there are no major surprises in the final, James will rightfully claim the title of the best player of Copa America, signaling a remarkable return to the international stage.
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