Brazil star Endrick among Copa America's 10 must-watch youngsters
The Copa America kicks off in the early hours of Friday morning as Argentina look to get their title defence off to a winning start when they take on Canada. Here, we take a look at the young stars to keep tabs on this summer featuring Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia,Paraguay, Ecuador, USA and Uruguay.
Alejandro Garnacho - Argentina
Having shone for Manchester United last season, Alejandro Garnacho nailed down a spot in Lionel Scaloni's Copa America squad. Garnacho made more key passes (46) than any other teenager in Europe's top five leagues last season and while he won't start for Argentina in USA, he's a handy backup for Angel Di Maria.
Not a first team option for Monza last season, Valentin Carboni still started 10 times for the Serie A outfit in 2023/24. Like Garnacho, Carboni won't start for the 2022 World Cup winners at the Copa America but he's able to pry apart a defence where needed having managed 1.8 key passes per 90 in Italy's top tier last term.
He may not turn 18 for a month, but Endrick is expected to lead the charge for Brazil at the Copa America. The teenager will move to Real Madrid this summer and hopes to do so with another winners' medal around his neck. Having scored his first ever international goal against England back in March, Endrick isn't fazed about the level of oppisition, which bodes well for a Brazil side hunting down a 10th Copa America.
Savinho won't be first choice for Brazil this summer but he comes into the Copa America off the back of a fine domestic campaign. Indeed, he completed more dribbles (104) than any other player in La Liga last season and was instrumental in Girona's top four finish. A summer switch to Manchester City is likely.
Savinho completed more successful dribbles than any other player in La Liga last season (104). ⚡️#CA2024 pic.twitter.com/ATqzw9ouha
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 20, 2024
One of the hottest prospects in Chilean football, Dario Osorio's form for Danish side FC Midtjylland last season caught the eye and he's backed to light up the Copa America. A quick and technically gifted forward, he is able to play anywhere across the front three, and has attracted interest from a number of Europe's elite sides and is set to play a key role for Chile in a navigable Group A.
Chelsea fans will keep a close eye on Kendry Paez for a youthful Ecuador side this summer with the teenager set to move to Stamford Bridge when he turns 18 next year. The youngest player at the Copa America, Paez still has over 50 club appearances under his belt, and while he may not start this summer; the 17-year-old is one to watch when called upon. Comfortable down the right or through the middle, the teenager's best quality is his ability to ghost past an opponent. Against tiring defences, this could be crucial.
Having struggled for minutes at both Borussia Dortmund and Nottingham Forest last season, Giovanni Reyna is keen to prove a point for the USA this summer. While his rare starts came from the flanks, the 21-year-old should feature through the middle for the USMNT on home turf. With an ability to beat a man with ease and play a defence splitting pass, Reyna is hoping to use the Copa America to re-establish himself as one of the most promising attackers in the game.
Facundo Pellistri's season ended with a whimper. He'll hope to end his summer with a bang. Uruguay are hunting down a 16th Copa America title in the USA and while it's easy to highlight the 22-year-old's fine work on the ball, he's incredibly hard working, which will suit Marcelo Bielsa's side. If he links up well with skipper Federico Valverde, Uruguay's right flank could be destructive.
Jhon Duran may be the focus on the young crop of Colombian stars, but Yaser Asprilla is another who deserves recognition. The 20-year-old impressed at Watford last season, scoring six and providing a further seven assists for the Hornets. Asprilla completed a modest 1.9 successful dribbles per 90 in the 2023/24 Championship campaign, while 2.5 shots and 2.5 key passes per 90 shows there is an end product to his game when he beats his man.
A meniscus tear sidelined Julio Enciso from August to February last season but returned in the final months of the campaign to build up match fitness ahead of the Copa America. The 20-year-old is difficult to contain once he gains a head of steam having averaged 3.2 successful dribbles per 90 in England's top tier last term. Operating from the left with Newcastle's Miguel Almiron featuring on the right, Paraguay are not to be underestimated.
