lCopa brings you surprises… life gives you surprises. Aside from the stars (many) who attend the Copa América, the American tournament always offers new players who forge their future fame in the showcase that each CA represents.
ENDRICK (BRAZIL)
He is already well known in Brazil (Palmeiras) and Spain (due to his immediate future at Real Madrid), but he is not so well known to the rest of the public. The Brazilian striker’s first major tournament, at the national team level, came when he was 17. This is the case most similar to Lamine Yamal.
He is touched by a wand and, if he continues like this, he can break all historical records in Brazil. He scored three goals in his last four friendlies with Brazil. He will not be a starter, but he will be the first shock.
PÁEZ (ECUADOR)
He is, perhaps, the greatest South American promise that is not so well known. Kendry is 17 years old, he has already been a starter in Félix Sánchez’s Ecuador and he has been with the number 10 in a very creative role. He was signed by Chelsea when he was 16, although he still remains at the local Independiente del Valle. A natural talent that should confirm sensations in this Copa América in which he will not have all the pressure of the country, but he will have many eyes on him.
CARBONI (ARGENTINA)
Valentín (19 years old) was Lionel Scaloni’s big surprise on the Argentine list. He belongs to Inter Milan, although he has been on loan at Monza. He made his debut at the age of 15 in the Interista Under 17 team and quickly made his way to the first team. He is left-footed, but his offensive vocation on the wing is usually developed on both wings. An offensive talent that Argentina did not want to miss in the face of this Copa América in its baptism in the Albiceleste. Carboni is the youth player that Scaloni trusts for the future of this process.
DAVID MARTÍNEZ (VENEZUELA)
The 18-year-old Venezuelan can play on the entire attacking front and is one of the hopes of ‘vinotinto’ football. A bigger jump was expected, but he decided on the MLS (he plays for LAFC). Injuries have disturbed him lately, perhaps due to his poor physical development. His technique, however, is very popular in his country and in the United States, where he will have the golden baptism with the senior team.
YÁSER ASPRILLA (COLOMBIA)
Yáser has, for now, an illustrious surname to defend (the historical Faustino Asprilla), with which he has nothing to do. The English Watford forward has played many matches in the elite at 20 years old, and has already made his debut as a scorer in the absolute ‘coffee’ team.
ENCISO (PARAGUAY)
Enciso, at 20 years old, already played in the 2021 Copa América with Paraguay when he was only 17 years old in a clash against Bolivia. The Guaraní already has 11 matches with Albirroja but he has not yet scored his first goal score, despite being an offensive player. Brighton, with Roberto De Zerbi on the bench, signed him for 25 million euros and now he must reaffirm himself in a Paraguayan national team that needs the generational replacement of its current leader, Miguel Almirón (Newcastle).
