We have composed a list of who we think are the top 10 best young Copa America players ahead of the tournament starting in the USA on Friday.
Our only criteria is that they had to be 22 years old or younger on 1st July 2023, and there are real stars in the making, with some even aiming to go all the way and lift the trophy.
Our top 10 best young Copa America players
10. Yaser Asprilla (Colombia)
Kicking off our list is Asprilla, who will be playing for a Colombian team in a tough-looking Group D alongside one of the favourites in Brazil. The 20-year-old plays his club football at Watford in the Championship, and individually had an impressive 2023/24 season if his team did not.
The midfielder scored six goals and produced a further seven assists in 44 games in the Championship, and also managed one assist in three appearances in the FA Cup.
9. Giovanni Reyna (USA)
Admittedly, Reyna has struggled at club level of late, having been loaned out to Nottingham Forest from Borussia Dortmund in the second half of this season. The attacking midfielder did not manage to score in 10 appearances in all competitions at the City Ground, or in 14 games for Dortmund.
However, the 21-year-old is a different proposition for his country, and has scored eight goals and made a further five assists in 28 senior caps for the hosts USA.
8. Yunus Musah (USA)
At just 21 years of age, Musah is part of the USA's new golden generation, having already earned 37 senior caps for his country after playing for England at youth level. Musah is more of a bit-part player at club level with AC Milan, only making 13 starts in Serie A and coming off the bench 17 times, but he is still regarded as one of the biggest talents at the tournament.
7. Willian Pacho (Ecuador)
Pacho will not be playing for one of the favoured teams in Ecuador, but is certainly a key player for his country despite being just 22 years of age. Indeed, the central defender has already won 12 senior caps for his country, and has also contributed two goals, which highlights his ability in both boxes.
Pacho also translates his international form to his club Eintracht Frankfurt, where he has won an impressive 1.6 aerial duels per game this season in all competitions on average, as well as a mammoth 4.2 clearances and 1.9 tackles per match.
6. Julio Enciso (Paraguay)
Paraguay's golden boy Enciso features in sixth on our list, and a lot of their hopes in the tournament will rest on the 20-year-old's shoulders. The skilful attacker plays his club football in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion, and has showcased his talent on many occasions.
Indeed, he won the 2022/23 Goal of the Season award for his wonderful long-range strike against eventual champions Manchester City, and is sure to have a big future in the beautiful game.
5. Yan Couto (Brazil)
Breaking into the top five is Couto, who could be bombing down the wing from right-back for Brazil during the tournament. The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign on loan at Girona from fellow City Group side Manchester City, where he managed an incredible 10 assists in La Liga as well as one goal, helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
4. Piero Hincapie (Ecuador)
Another Ecuadorian makes the list in Hincapie, who has had an unbelievable season at Bayer Leverkusen. Indeed, he won the domestic double with the German outfit, losing only one game in the entirety of the campaign – a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final. His ability to play both as a full-back and as a central defender makes him a dream for any manager, and at just 22 years old, Hincapie still has the world at his feet.
3. Moises Caicedo (Ecuador)
Our third and final Ecuadorian on the list is Caicedo, who is the heartbeat for his country. It is easy to forget that he is just 22 years of age, having secured a British record £115m move to Chelsea from Brighton last summer. His first season at Stamford Bridge was a little indifferent, but the defensive midfielder showed his class often enough at the Seagulls to warrant such a big move in the first place.
2. Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina)
Just missing out on top spot is Garnacho, with the 19-year-old the only player to make the list from the favourites Argentina. In what was otherwise a dismal Premier League campaign for Manchester United, the winger was a shining light, scoring 10 goals and making a further five assists across all competitions.
One of his goals came in the Red Devils' FA Cup final win over bitter rivals Manchester City, while another could win the FIFA Puskas award, after his astonishing bicycle kick against Everton in the English top flight last November.
1. Endrick (Brazil)
Topping the charts is Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, who will be leading the line for his country at just 17 years of age, and will be joining Real Madrid for the start of next season.
In 22 matches for Palmeiras last campaign, Endrick scored four goals and supplied two assists, and he already boasts three goals for Brazil in six senior international caps. Before moving to the Santiago Bernabeu, Endrick will have the chance to showcase what he is all about on the international stage.
