The 48th edition of the Copa América promises to be a thrilling competition as nations from two different regional confederations seek the title. As per usual, all ten members of CONMEBOL are vying for the trophy, with eight returning champions and two teams looking to claim the honor for the first time. The South American entrants are joined by six representatives from CONCACAF: Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, and the United States qualified through the CONCACAF Nations League, while Canada and Costa Rica punched a ticket via the play-in round. As expected of top-50 national teams in an increasingly modernized sporting world, the rosters are composed of known entities. These talented players have been tracked and monitored for years, occupying scribbled entries on whiteboards or listings in a database. However, there is still the opportunity to expand upon a profile, increase transfer interest, or simply continue to thrive at one of the world’s premier sporting competitions, a historic event dating back to 1916. Here are some potential breakout players to watch at the Copa América.
**Group A**
**Joao Grimaldo – Peru**
The 21-year-old Sporting Cristal winger made his senior international debut in September and quickly became a key player for the manager. He is praised for thriving in “adverse situations” as a “powerful player who does very well in the one-on-one and with countless technical resources.” Whether shuttling into the final third or cutting inwardly, his elusive dribbling and pace beguile opposing defenders, who are often forced into slowing him down with a foul. A variety of international clubs are said to be pursuing his signature, a number that could grow with some crucial goals that clinch a spot for La Bicolor (The Bicolour) in the knockout stage.
**Darío Osorio – Chile**
FC Midtjylland is considered a pioneer in the data science revolution, with every signing seemingly vetted beyond the efforts of other clubs. The 20-year-old midfielder has already validated his transfer with eight goals in his first Danish Superliga season, a rise that coincided with a growing profile at the senior international level. He is assessed as “a versatile attacker” who can also line up as an box-to-box, advanced midfielder, and on both flanks and “controls his body very well” with “fantastic [movements] in tight spaces.” His combination of size, speed, and technique enables him to overcome defenders in a variety of ways, with Total Football Analysis noting his penchant to “receive the ball in the wide channel and drive toward the inside” before dispensing stellar long-distance shots and quick link-up play.
**Jacen Russell-Rowe – Canada**
The 21-year-old forward was a member of the Columbus Crew SC squad that won MLS Cup in 2023 and scored 4 goals in 21 league appearances; his current-year total stands at 5 in 18. He also featured in three matches in last summer’s Gold Cup, appeared in the CONCACAF Nations League, and subbed into the crucial Copa América qualifying playoff. While yet to score at the international level, the six-foot-tall former Maryland Terrapin is an accurate, high-volume passer and a tireless worker to regain possession. In addition to scoring with both feet and his head, his speed, agility, touch, and ability to find open space in the box are obvious assets.
Alejandro Garnacho – Argentina
The 19-year-old Manchester United winger appears to have a bright future after 10 goals and 5 assists in 50 combined appearances last season, looking to make good at the international level after switching over from his birth nation of Spain in 2022. The explosive young talent is praised as a “very fast player with incredible ability,” matching “finishing skills and electrifying dribbles” to a “greater work rate and dependability.” He is equally adept as a supportive presence in the midfield and an aggressive actor in the final third, playing at a high tempo with “off-the-ball tactical intelligence” and “good ball-striking ability with both feet.” His proficient technique and soft first touch support a daring, audacious nature to produce spellbinding distribution, seemingly ill-advised yet successful take-on attempts, and the occasional wonder strike, such as his incredible finish against Everton.
**Group B**
**Kendry Páez – Ecuador**
The then-16-year-old versatile attacker from Guayaquil started five World Cup qualifiers, scored the opening goal in a what-could-prove-to-be-crucial 2-1 victory over Bolivia, and added two assists for good measure. The “jewel” of Independiente del Valle has already committed his future to Chelsea, garnering a reported transfer fee of $21.7 million. He “dribbles with ease” and possesses “blistering pace,” cutting inside from the right wing to drill shots with his left foot. Observers praise his “dazzling technical ability, pinpoint passing, excellent vision, and feather touch,” complemented by a low center of gravity and the tenacity to “rarely lose shoulder-to-shoulder” duels. His control over the game is remarkable, assuming a leading role for both club and country with the temerity to attempt the most daring of maneuvers.
Daniel Pereira – Venezuela
Since being selected with the first overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, the ambidextrous 23-year-old midfielder has carved out a role in the starting lineup for Austin FC, bagging eight assists last season while also leading the club in completed passes, duels, and interceptions. While yet to appear in a meaningful fixture for La Vinotinto (The Wine-Red), he featured in both of March’s friendlies, including going the full 90 minutes against Guatemala. Total Soccer Analysis praises him as “mobile” and “agile” while also able to “change direction easily and move quickly in tight spaces.” The Caraquenian can spray the ball around the field, whether playing line-splitting passes from a deep area, breaking into the transition, or creating chances in the final third.
**Dexter Lembikisa – Jamaica**
The 20-year-old England-born right fullback made his Wolverhampton debut last season and has since enjoyed successful loans at Rotherham United and Heart of Midlothian. Becoming a favorite for manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, his goal secured a 1-0 victory in the third-place match at the recent CONCACAF Nations League Finals. He is praised for having a good “footballing brain” while “getting involved up and down the field” with “a good amount of technical ability” and a high level of defensive involvement, particularly in the tackle. His impact in the final third is growing as his quick first touch and footwork open space, although crossing or shooting are still works in progress.
Julián Quiñones – Mexico
At 27 years of age, the hard-working Club América forward is slightly older than the average “Breakout Star,” but the former Colombia youth international only made his Mexico debut in 2023. While the program already has a host of dynamic attacking talent, he was able to score the insurance finish in the 3-0 victory over Panama in the semifinal round of the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals. In addition to a stellar 21 goals and 9 assists produced in manifold ways (headers, long shots, solo runs, and more) last season, Smarterscout notes improvements to his “receiving in the box and link-up passing,” which have help mold him into a more complete player. His dribbling and passing can, at times, appear to be out of control when advancing possession or making inroads into the final third, but the effectiveness and dogged determination to create an impact in every single phase, regardless of style, cannot be understated.
**Group C**
**José Córdoba – Panama**
Clubs across Europe queued up to sign the Levski Sofia stalwart after being named the best defender in the Bulgarian First Professional Football League, with Norwich City winning the race. The 23-year-old from Panama City stands 6’1” and is comfortable both battling bigger strikers on the inside of the formation or chasing down pacier players on the wings. He is serviceable with the ball at his feet whether starting the build-up or dropping off as a safety valve under pressure, preferring to make the safe pass with his left foot and only occasionally forcing a low-percentage long pass. His extra value comes in the attacking phase with the expected header wins on set pieces but also the ability to drill shots from 40 yards away from the goal.
**Gabriel Villamíl – Bolivia**
The 22-year-old central midfielder has been working his…
