Lionel Messi was named in the Organizing Committee’s best team, despite not playing the entire final match against Colombia.
Yesterday, August 1, more than two weeks after the tournament ended, the Copa America Organizing Committee announced the best team.
Messi was the right winger of choice. The 37-year-old Argentina captain played in five of the six games at the tournament in the United States, scoring one goal and assisting another. The only game Messi missed was a 2-0 group stage win over Peru. In the final, he was forced off injured midway through the second half with the score at 0-0.
Lautaro Martinez, who scored in extra time in the final to give Argentina a 1-0 win over Colombia , was named as a centre forward in the team. In addition to his strike against Colombia, the Inter Milan star also scored against Canada, Chile and Peru. With five goals in total, Lautaro added the Golden Boot. The next highest scorer, Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, scored two fewer goals.
The left winger position belongs to Raphinha. On the journey to the quarter-finals with Brazil, the Barca star played all four matches and scored once. Raphinha is also the only Brazilian player to make the best team.
James Rodriguez was the choice attacking midfielder. The 33-year-old played all six games, scored once, assisted six, won four Man of the Match awards and led Colombia to the final. After the final, Rodriguez also won the Player of the Tournament award.
The remaining two positions in midfield belong to Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo De Paul. According to ESPN , the two defensive midfielders both played an important role in blocking from afar, helping Uruguay win bronze and Argentina successfully defend the championship. Ugarte is also currently a top transfer target for Man Utd.
Alistair Johnston was named right-back in the team. The Celtic star helped Canada reach the semi-finals in their first Copa America appearance, before losing 2-0 to Argentina in the semi-finals and 4-3 to Uruguay in the bronze medal shootout. “I’m not good at Spanish, but I understand that this team is pretty good,” Johnston said of the team announcement, which was written in Spanish.
The two central defenders are Davinson Sanchez and Cristian Romero. The two players, who played together at Tottenham, played important blocking roles in Colombia and Argentina’s journeys. In addition, Sanchez directly scored a goal in the 3-0 win over Costa Rica.
Piero Hincapie was the choice at left-back. The Leverkusen star scored a goal in the 3-1 win over Jamaica that helped Ecuador secure four points and reach the quarter-finals. If Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had not been so good, Ecuador could have reached the semi-finals.
Emiliano Martinez is the goalkeeper in the best XI. The Aston Villa star conceded just one goal, the best defensive record in the Copa America. He was also a hero when he saved two penalties in the quarter-final against Ecuador.
