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After a substantial change of venue and hosts only a fortnight away from the start of the tournament, the Copa America 2021 is all set to commence in Brazil from June 13, 2021. With the aura and adrenaline associated with South American football, fanatics all over the world would be hoping for their marquee players to make an impact after the elongated delay in the tournament.
Justifying the same, in this article we are going to take a look at the top players who rank among best five to clinch the Golden Boot at the Copa America 2021 in the home land of the reigning champions.
5. Luis Suarez
Ever since his dramatic exit from FC Barcelona, Luis Suarez has stepped onto the football pitch with vengeance for all his critics as the only thought in his mind. The 31-year-old Uruguayan striker is approaching the end of his international career and with 21 goals in 38 appearances in the domestic Spanish campaign, it looks like Suarez is already motivated to end his career on the highest peek possible.
4. Neymar
The Paris Saint-Germain striker has long been the ‘Golden-Boy’ for Brazil. But with the competition being staged in his home land, Neymar has the perfect opportunity to turn the tables around after a horrid 2020-21 club season.
On an individual level, Neymar was the ideal supplier for his French club, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists in 31 appearances. It is safe to say that Brazil’s hopes of retaining the silverware keenly depends upon the 29-year-old.
3. Eduardo Vargas
Prior to Copa America 2021, Eduardo Vargas won two successive Golden Boots in 2015 and 2016. In 2019, he scored just one goal lesser than eventual winner Everton Soares.
Moreover, Vargas is the second-highest scorer among active players in Copa America history with 12 goals, with Paulo Guerrero registering 14 goals against his name, to top the charts. Vargas is also the second highest scoring Chilean of all-time with 38, only behind Alexis Sanchezs 43 at the current moment.
2. Edinson Cavani
Ranking the Manchester United striker, Cavani ahead of countryman Luis Suarez might surprise some football fans. Yet statistically, Cavani has a better goal scoring record than his companion in the 2020-21 season.
In 13 starts he got with his new English club, Cavani caught the fast-paced Premier League and managed to score 10 goals and 3 assists. In addition, it was Cavani’s hard-fought efforts which led Manchester United into the Europa League final.
1. Lionel Messi
In his potential last Copa America, Lionel Messi heads into the tournament after scoring 38 goals for FC Barcelona in the 2020-21 season. He also won his eighth Pichichi. In addition, he is only behind Vargas in the goal-tally of Copa America.
Despite being regarded as one of the greatest players of the game ever, Messi has been criticized widely is his failure to win an international trophy with Argentina. The Copa America 2021 could prove to be Messi’s best chance of breaking the curse.
Having being deprived of a possible La Liga title, Messi would be raring to go with his newly formed Argentina team, who have majority of its players in form. Unlike previous international tournaments, he should not be the ideal player working hard.