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MUHAMMAD USMAN AWAN
The most promising talents from across the continent will be on show in July, and Goal.com highlights some of the stars who could be on everybody's lips by the end of the Copa
The 2011 Copa America will showcase some of the very best players on the planet, as they take a break from club football to return to South America and represent their nation's hopes and dreams in Argentina. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Alexis Sanchez; all footballers of the very highest level, and names familiar to all but the most casual follower of the European game.
As always, however, it is worth digging a little deeper to find the hidden gems of the tournament. Whether they are wowing fans in South America or in some of the world's less-publicised competitions, many of the men on display will be less than well know to those watching on television or keeping up with the Copa on the internet.
Goal.com has chosen 10 players who may not be household names right now, but could prove to be stand-out talents in the 2011 Copa America - and, naturally, they will not stay unfamiliar for long.
Marcos Rojo (Argentina)
Age: 20
Left Back
International Appearances/Goals: 4/0
The Spartak Moscow man is a newcomer to the international scene, but despite only playing a handful of games so far already looks very assured in the Albiceleste defence. Loves to bomb down the left touchline, and when given the chance has a thunderbolt shot.
Marcelo Martins (Bolivia)
Age: 24
Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 22/8
Another young South American who has chosen to pursue his footballing fortune in eastern Europe, with Ukrainian giants Shaktar Donetsk. Martins is yet to set the world on fire in the club game, but internationally is the stand-out player of a Bolivia side hoping to give a good account of themselves while visiting their neighbours to the south.
Lucas Moura (Brazil)
Age: 18
Attacking midfielder
International Appearances/Goals: 3/0
This immensely talented Sao Paulo wonderkid is the youngest man in the Brazil team, but proved in the U20 Championships earlier in 2011 that he is not fazed by international competition. He is blessed with mesmerising dribbling ability and a wicked shot, but also is happy to find a team-mate rather than seek glory alone. Lucas will not be a first choice, but look for him to enter on the hour mark and do serious damage to tiring defences.
Jorge Valdivia (Chile)
Age: 27
Number 10
International Appearances/Goals: 44/4
The enfant terrible of Chilean football, and an extremely talented playmaker who at times can infuriate with his languid style and blunt off-field demeanour. He has struggled for fitness recently, but should thrive as the enganche of Claudio Borghi's team. A close association between he and young sensation Alexis Sanchez could take the Copa by storm.
Pablo Armero (Colombia)
Age: 24
Left back
International Appearances/Goals: 14/0
Already a star in Colombia and Brazil with America de Cali and Palmeiras respectively, this young, mobile full back was nevertheless an unknown quantity when he signed for Udinese one year ago. A sparkling debut season have cleared many of these doubts, as his sterling work helped the Italians secure Champions League football for the coming year. Part of a rock-solid Cafetero back-line that will prove crucial to their Copa fortunes.
Dayro Moreno (Colombia)
Age: 25
Attacking Midfielder/ Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 7/2
With Colombia coach 'Bolillo' stubbornly wed to his 4-1-4-1 tactical idea, this Once Caldas legend could be the one to benefit over fellow attacking talents such as Teo Gutierrez. Moreno can operate down the middle or on either flank, and his pace, vision and talent could make him a worthy foil to centre forward Falcao if given the chance.
Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador)
Age: 22
Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 28/3
A prodigious talent in every sense of the word, Caicedo made his Ecuador debut at just 16-years-old, and was scooped up by Switzerland's Basel before making a single professional appearance in Ecuador. The powerful yet mobile forward is coming off an impressive season on loan at Levante, proving to Manchester City what he could do after a difficult start to his English career. A successful Copa America would further put this youngster in the eyes of the European public.
Pablo Zeballos (Paraguay)
Age: 25
Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 2/1
Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino is one man with faith in this Olimpia sharp-shooter, choosing to leave Oscar Cardozo at home in favour of Zeballos. A brave bet, but given his impressive scoring record in Paraguay, Bolivia and Mexico not a foolish one. The forward has an excellent chance of accompanying Lucas Barrios and Nelson Valdez in attack, and will hope to reproduce his domestic form on the world stage.
Sebastian Coates (Uruguay)
Age: 20
Central Defender
International Appearances/Goals: 0/0
A prize for any viewer who hears this young defender's name pronounced right by an English commentator - it should be pronounced 'Cwa-tez' in Spanish, despite its Anglo-origins. This youngster looks set to sign for Sao Paulo, after being a rock at the back for boyhood club Nacional over the last three years. Extremely tall (almost 2 metres) but with excellent control and awareness, he could push first-choice pairing Godin and Lugano hard for a place over the course of the competition.
Yohandry Orozco (Venezuela)
Age: 20
Attacking Midfielder
International Appearances/Goals: 6/1
Few players in this year's South American U20 Championships caught the imagination like this tiny, fleet-footed No. 10. Orozco earned a move to German club Wolfsburg on the back of a mazy, dizzying individual goal against Peru, and also won his side a famous draw against Argentina with an equaliser to cancel out Sergio Araujo's opener. Already a veteran of 11 international caps, look for Yohandry to be a star of the next 10 years in an ever-improving Vintotinto team.
As always, however, it is worth digging a little deeper to find the hidden gems of the tournament. Whether they are wowing fans in South America or in some of the world's less-publicised competitions, many of the men on display will be less than well know to those watching on television or keeping up with the Copa on the internet.
Goal.com has chosen 10 players who may not be household names right now, but could prove to be stand-out talents in the 2011 Copa America - and, naturally, they will not stay unfamiliar for long.
Marcos Rojo (Argentina)
Age: 20
Left Back
International Appearances/Goals: 4/0
The Spartak Moscow man is a newcomer to the international scene, but despite only playing a handful of games so far already looks very assured in the Albiceleste defence. Loves to bomb down the left touchline, and when given the chance has a thunderbolt shot.
Marcelo Martins (Bolivia)
Age: 24
Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 22/8
Another young South American who has chosen to pursue his footballing fortune in eastern Europe, with Ukrainian giants Shaktar Donetsk. Martins is yet to set the world on fire in the club game, but internationally is the stand-out player of a Bolivia side hoping to give a good account of themselves while visiting their neighbours to the south.
Lucas Moura (Brazil)
Age: 18
Attacking midfielder
International Appearances/Goals: 3/0
This immensely talented Sao Paulo wonderkid is the youngest man in the Brazil team, but proved in the U20 Championships earlier in 2011 that he is not fazed by international competition. He is blessed with mesmerising dribbling ability and a wicked shot, but also is happy to find a team-mate rather than seek glory alone. Lucas will not be a first choice, but look for him to enter on the hour mark and do serious damage to tiring defences.
Jorge Valdivia (Chile)
Age: 27
Number 10
International Appearances/Goals: 44/4
The enfant terrible of Chilean football, and an extremely talented playmaker who at times can infuriate with his languid style and blunt off-field demeanour. He has struggled for fitness recently, but should thrive as the enganche of Claudio Borghi's team. A close association between he and young sensation Alexis Sanchez could take the Copa by storm.
Pablo Armero (Colombia)
Age: 24
Left back
International Appearances/Goals: 14/0
Already a star in Colombia and Brazil with America de Cali and Palmeiras respectively, this young, mobile full back was nevertheless an unknown quantity when he signed for Udinese one year ago. A sparkling debut season have cleared many of these doubts, as his sterling work helped the Italians secure Champions League football for the coming year. Part of a rock-solid Cafetero back-line that will prove crucial to their Copa fortunes.
Dayro Moreno (Colombia)
Age: 25
Attacking Midfielder/ Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 7/2
With Colombia coach 'Bolillo' stubbornly wed to his 4-1-4-1 tactical idea, this Once Caldas legend could be the one to benefit over fellow attacking talents such as Teo Gutierrez. Moreno can operate down the middle or on either flank, and his pace, vision and talent could make him a worthy foil to centre forward Falcao if given the chance.
Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador)
Age: 22
Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 28/3
A prodigious talent in every sense of the word, Caicedo made his Ecuador debut at just 16-years-old, and was scooped up by Switzerland's Basel before making a single professional appearance in Ecuador. The powerful yet mobile forward is coming off an impressive season on loan at Levante, proving to Manchester City what he could do after a difficult start to his English career. A successful Copa America would further put this youngster in the eyes of the European public.
Pablo Zeballos (Paraguay)
Age: 25
Striker
International Appearances/Goals: 2/1
Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino is one man with faith in this Olimpia sharp-shooter, choosing to leave Oscar Cardozo at home in favour of Zeballos. A brave bet, but given his impressive scoring record in Paraguay, Bolivia and Mexico not a foolish one. The forward has an excellent chance of accompanying Lucas Barrios and Nelson Valdez in attack, and will hope to reproduce his domestic form on the world stage.
Sebastian Coates (Uruguay)
Age: 20
Central Defender
International Appearances/Goals: 0/0
A prize for any viewer who hears this young defender's name pronounced right by an English commentator - it should be pronounced 'Cwa-tez' in Spanish, despite its Anglo-origins. This youngster looks set to sign for Sao Paulo, after being a rock at the back for boyhood club Nacional over the last three years. Extremely tall (almost 2 metres) but with excellent control and awareness, he could push first-choice pairing Godin and Lugano hard for a place over the course of the competition.
Yohandry Orozco (Venezuela)
Age: 20
Attacking Midfielder
International Appearances/Goals: 6/1
Few players in this year's South American U20 Championships caught the imagination like this tiny, fleet-footed No. 10. Orozco earned a move to German club Wolfsburg on the back of a mazy, dizzying individual goal against Peru, and also won his side a famous draw against Argentina with an equaliser to cancel out Sergio Araujo's opener. Already a veteran of 11 international caps, look for Yohandry to be a star of the next 10 years in an ever-improving Vintotinto team.
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