Brazil record scorer Neymar Jr, Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison and AS Roma’s Argentina striker Paulo Dybala are the highest profile absentees from the Copa America tournament that commences in United States of America on Friday night.
Neymar won’t be able to extend his record haul of 79 goals for the five time World Cup winners because he hasn’t recovered from an injury he sustained featuring for Saudi Arabia pro league champions Al Hilal while Jesus and Richarlison have paid the price for poor form with their Premier League clubs.
Inter Miami’s Argentine super star Lionel Messi is the star attraction at the biennial tournament which has been expanded to encompass teams from Central and North America. The eight time Ballon D’Or winner is to lead from the front when Lionel Scaloni’s Pumas attempt to defend the title they won three years ago in Brazil.
The Qatar 2022 winners, who are the bookmakers favourites to win the crown, open tournament proceedings against Canada who are among six invited national teams along with USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Panama. Scaloni is expected to field a largely unchanged side from the team that lifted the World Cup two years ago.
The top two favourites Argentina and Brazil have a very strong Premier League flavour to their sides. Six out of the eight EPL based Pumas – Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Cristian Romero (Spurs), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis McAllister (Liverpool), Julian Alvarez (Man City) and Alejandro Garnacho (Man United) are in contention to start against Canada.
Brazil coach Dorival Junior wielded the axe in order to arrest an astonishing slump in form that has witnessed the Selecao drop to sixth in South America zone World Cup qualifiers. Teenage stars Savinho of Girona and Real Madrid bound Endrick have been invited at the expense of Jesus and Richarlison.
The pair join EPL stars Alisson Becker (Liverpool),Gabriel Maghalaes (Arsenal), Bruno Guimares (Newcastle United), Andrea Perreira (Fulham), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham) and Gabriel Martinelli in jostling for starting slots along with Real Madrid trio Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior when the Selecao open their campaign against Costa Rica on Monday night.
FRIDAY
Argentina v Canada
SATURDAY
Peru v Chile,
Ecuador v Venezuela,
Mexico v Jamaica
SUNDAY
USA v Bolivia,
Uruguay v Panama
