Copa America players to watch: Including Endrick, Reyna & Gimenez

Major international tournaments can provide the perfect platform for the world's most talented young footballers to catch the eye and make a name for themselves.

An opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage, no doubt watched on by scouts from all over the footballing world, a standout performance in a major tournament can be career-changing,

Ahead of the 2024 Copa America hosted in the United States, we examine which of the region's most promising players could be set for a breakout tournament.

Argentina - Valentin Carboni (Inter)

Eligible to play for both Argentina and Italy, creative midfielder Valentin Carboni made his international debut for the 2022 World Cup winners in a friendly against Costa Rica in March 2024.

Currently on the books of Italian champions Inter, Carboni enjoyed a productive loan spell at Monza in the 2023/24 campaign - making 31 Serie A appearances.

Although Carboni will find it difficult to find a place in world champions Argentina's starting XI at the 2024 Copa America, the Buenos Aires-born midfielder is a player who is reportedly very highly rated by La Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni and could shine from the bench if called upon.

Brazil - Endrick (Brazil)

Kylian Mbappe is not the only superstar forward to be joining the ranks of Real Madrid ahead of next season, with Los Blancos having also snapped up gifted Brazilian striker Endrick from Palmeiras.

Scoring his first international goal for the Seleção in a friendly against England at Wembley in March 2024, there is great hope in Brazil that Endrick can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Pele, Romario and Ronaldo and fire the country to major international honours.

A left-footed striker with notable speed and skill, Endrick is expected to play a big role for Brazil at the Copa America this summer.

Uruguay - Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United)

Having signed for Manchester United from Penarol back in 2020, it feels as though Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri has been around for a while now, and yet he remains young enough to make a major breakthrough in his career.

Making only 24 senior appearances for Man Utd, Pellistri has spent time out on loan in La Liga at both Alaves and Granada as he attempts to establish himself as a first team player at the top level in European football.

A technically player well liked by Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa and expected to start on the right wing for the South Americans at the Copa America, Pellistri will have the opportunity to shine in the USA.

Mexico - Santiago Gimenez (PSV Eindhoven)

Recently crowned a league champion in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven, bagging 23 Eredivisie goals, Santiago Gimenez will be hoping to transfer his club form to the international stage at the Copa America this summer

Despite turning heads with his form for PSV, reportedly prompting transfer interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs, Gimenez has yet to fully establish himself in the green jersey of Mexico.

Club America striker Henry Martin appears first choice in attack for Mexico under manager Jaime Lozano at present, but Gimenez undoubtedly possesses the quality to force his way into the starting XI and make a big impact at the Copa America.

Colombia - Jhon Duran (Aston Villa)

Snapped up by Aston Villa from Chicago Fire for an initial £14.75m in January 2023, Colombian striker Jhon Duran has proven to be a lively influence in the Midlands under Unai Emery.

Just like at Villa, where he represented Ollie Watkins' understudy for the majority of the 2023/24 campaign, Duran is unlikely to start for his country up front this summer amidst competition from Rafael Santos Borre and Jhon Cordoba, but the powerful striker has demonstrated his ability to cause havoc from the bench in English football.

Notching against teams of the calibre of Manchester City and Liverpool over the course of last season, Duran is a striker with vast potential who is more than capable of making his mark at Copa America if he receives enough game time.

USA - Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)

Son of former United States captain Claudio Reyna, Giovanni Reyna has long been heralded as one of the next big hopes of the national team.

Picked up by European giants Borussia Dortmund from New York City's academy in 2019, Reyna was regarded as one of BVB's brightest young talents, but repeated injury problems have thwarted his progress.

After an unsuccessful loan spell in England with Nottingham Forest in the second half of the 2023/24 season, the talented attacking midfielder has approached a crossroads in his career.

With an uncertain future at Dortmund, Reyna will be eager to show what he is capable of at the Copa America this summer, with his recent form for the United States impressive - registering three goal contributions across matches against Jamaica and Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals in March.

Ecuador - Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen)

An integral member of Bayer Leverkusen's outstanding Double-winning season in 2023/24 - claiming both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles - versatile defender Piero Hincapie is a player who has become coveted across Europe.

Naturally a central defender, Hincapie is left-footed and adept at playing out from the back as part of impressive Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso's possession-oriented tactical system.

Matching this ball-playing ability with characteristic South American grit, Hincapie is an eye-catching defender who will represent a vital player for Ecuador at the Copa America,

Chile - Dario Osorio (Midtjylland)

Taking the plunge to leave Universidad de Chile in his homeland for Danish outfit Midtjylland in August 2023, silky winger Dario Osorio has made a big impact in Scandinavia - crowned a Superliga champion in his first season after netting five league goals.

Typically operating as a right winger, Osorio is a naturally left-footed player who thrives when cutting infield to drive at defences and make things happen.

Emerging as one of Chile's most promising talents, Osorio is a player boasting the ability to cause a stir at this summer's major tournament in the United States and potentially command transfer interest from a top five European league.

Paraguay - Julio Enciso (Brighton)

Returning to fitness towards the end of the 2023/24 season for Brighton after six months out with a meniscus tear, Julio Enciso will be eager to make up for lost time on the pitch at Copa America for Paraguay.

Enjoying a terrific campaign in the Premier League in 2022/23 following a transfer from Paraguayan side Libertad - notching four goals including a memorable long-range strike against Man City - Enciso announced himself as one of the most exciting talents in England's top flight.

Enciso was unable to score in 12 Premier League appearances following his recovery from long-term injury, however, and the direct attacking midfielder will be desperate to return to his top level in his country's colours in the United States this summer.

Canada - Ismael Kone (Watford)

Already an established member of Canada's senior squad, Ismael Kone is a complete midfielder with an incredibly high ceiling.

Signing for English Championship side Watford from CF Montreal last summer, Kone made 42 league appearances for the Hornets in the 2023/24 campaign - registering four goals and three assists from central midfield.

Two years out from Canada co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, Kone looks primed to grow into a key figure for his country under new manager Jesse Marsch.

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