The South America Cup of Nations, Copa America kicked off yesterday in Argentina. It is the world’s oldest continental competition and was first held in Argentina in 1916, it has returned to the place where it all started as Argentina is hosting the 43rd edition of the competition. South America, home of many superstars the world has ever produced will parade some of the world’s best players in the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Antonio Valencia, Alexis Sanchez, Diego Forlan, Jefferson Farfan and a host of others. Here are some of the favourites for the competition.
ARGENTINA
Argentina led by World Player Of the Year, Lionel Messi, are definitely the favourites to win the competition. Aside the advantage of being the host nation, they parade world class stars in Carlos Tevez, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Javier Zanetti and Javier Pastore. The last time Argentina won a silverware was in 1993 when they won the Copa America, they are the record holders of the Copa America with 14 titles alongside Uraguay. Argentina played three warm up games and lost two to Nigeria and Poland, and won the last game against Albania.
Argentina have arguably the best attack line up in the world. Messi, one of the delights to be watched in this tournament has often been criticised for failing to replicate his club form for his country. He has been the best player in the world for the past three seasons, scooping two players of the world in the process. The time has finally come for him to deliver for Argentina and there is no better time than now because. Argentina is the host. While Messi had an inspired season for Barcelona his countryman, Tevez, also had a good season with Manchester city, winning the FA Cup. Having helped in qualifying his club to the Champions League for the first time in their history, the highly controversial Tevez was City’s best player of last season.
An attacking line of Tevez,Messi and Angel Di Maria is a threat to any defence in the world.
Argentina have to shed their perennial underachievers tag in this tournament. During the last World Cup in South Africa, despite parading an array of stars and were pre-tournament favourites, they were hammered 4-0 by Germany in the quarter finals .Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti who were controversially left out of the squad in the last World Cup by Diego Maradona have made their return back to the team under Sergio Batista. If Messi can shine at the international level and put on his Barcelona-form, he will be one step closer to achieving immortality.
BRAZIL
Brazil are winners of the last two editions beating Argentina in the last final to clinch their eight Copa America title. This Brazil squad unlike their previous squads boasting of star names have players trying to make their mark on the world stage. Notably is Neymar, the hottest property in the transfer market who has been linked to a move to Real Madrid and Chelsea.Neymar dubbed the new Ronaldo led his team, Santos to Copa Liberterdores glory ending their 35 year wait for the trophy.AC Milan forward, Robinho with teammate Pato will provide the supporting cast to Neymar. Ronaldinho and Kaka were omitted from the squad .
Brazil are favourites to win any competition they enter for and this Copa will not be an exception. Last World Cup was a disappointment for Brazil, exiting in the quarterfinal for the second consecutive time and the Brazilians will be hoping to give their fans something to smile about by winning a hat-trick of Copa America.
URAGUAY
World Cup semi finalist, Uruguay, surprised everyone including themselves by reaching the semi finals of the last World Cup in South Africa led by their inspirational captain, Diego Forlan who won the Golden Ball award.Forlan has lost some of his scoring touch of late and endured a miserable season at his club Athletico Madrid. Forlan strike partner, Luis Suarez, who broke Ghanaians’ and Africans heart at the World Cup with his infamous ‘Hand of God’ had a good season in England with Liverpool. While Edinson Cavani had an excellent season with Napoli, leading them to Champions League qualification and had his best season till date in terms of goals, he will be hoping to replicate his club form for his country. Uruaguay fans will be hoping the team shows the form that saw them finished fourth at the World Cup.
COLUMBIA
Colombia, one of the dark horses for the tournament hosted the tournament in 2001 and won it. Colombia will be led by Falcao,one of the most sought after strikers in the world at the moment who led his team FC Porto to Europa glory last season scoring 16 goals in the competition, breaking the earlier record set by Jurgen Klinsman of Germany. Falcao’s teammate at Porto, Fredy Guarin and James Rodriguez will provide the much needed ammunition for Columbia. Columbia have missed the last three World Cups and have seemed to underachieve since winning the Copa America in 2001.
Also Falcao have failed to shine for his country in recent past, but after coming off an Europa triumph, his confidence will certainly be high and if Colombia are to erase the disappointments of the past and win the Copa,Falcoa will certainly be the man to deliver.
PARAGUAY
Paraguay is another team that can make trouble for the big two in this tournament. They narrowly lost to Spain by a lone goal in the World Cup in a keenly contested game and will draw inspiration from the fact that they can hold their own against the world champions. Hercules striker, Nelson Valdez, has been the star performer for Paraguay for some years now and Lucas Barrios who has just had an extremely successful season for German champions Borussia Dortmund.