As the Copa America draws closer, with hosts Brazil taking on Bolivia on Friday night, there is a star-studded cast taking to the stage in South America.
Neymar, however, is not one of them after the Selecao poster boy picked up yet another injury shortly after linking up with the squad, forcing him to withdraw.
Nevertheless there are some huge names among our highest rated XI from the squads selected based on league performances from 2018/19.
Goalkeeper
Alisson (Brazil)
It was a sensational first season at Anfield for Alisson, ending in Champions League glory, while the Brazilian kept 21 clean sheets in England’s top-flight - a record for any keeper in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
The Brazilian keeper’s towering stature also ensured that the nets remain safe even in dead ball situations. And even though he did commit three errors directly leading to goals, he more than atoned for that by stepping up in the big games, especially in the 4-0 thumping of Barcelona in the Champions League.
If Brazil too are to clinch continental success like his club side, then they will need some of those heroics from Alisson.
Defence
Dani Alves (Brazil)
Having played in a number of different positions for PSG last season, Alves should revert to his usual right-back role on home soil, captaining his country in what will surely be the 36-year-old’s last major tournament.
Despite only starting 19 of 23 league appearances last season the veteran still chipped in with seven assists as well as 2.3 tackles per 90 minutes.
Marquinhos (Brazil)
Though they won the Ligue 1 title at a canter once more, 2018/19 was generally seen as a disappointing one for PSG, but from an individual perspective Marquinhos was a real highlight.
Whether playing at the back or protecting the defence the 25-year-old was extremely impressive, averaging 2.2 tackles per 90 an completing 91.9 per cent of his passes.
His attacking capabilities were on show when he netted thrice and assisted twice, as a red card on matchday 36 was the only blot on his season.
Diego Godin (Uruguay)
Atletico Madrid established a reputation of being one of the meanest outfits in Europe under Diego Simeone, and skipper Diego Godin had an instrumental role to play in that.
He was the mortar to Atletico’s brick; a reckoning force that even blew the most prolific strikers out of the park. Never one to shy away from a tackle, the Uruguayan carved a niche in 10 years with the Rojiblancos and will depart as a club legend.
He commands a similar status in the national set up too, and will once again captain his team in the quest to replicate the success of 2011.
Alex Sandro (Brazil)
Manager Tite has a tough decision to make between Felipe Luis and Alex Sandro in the left-back position, but the Juventus star might get the nod ahead of the Atletico Madrid fullback.
Despite a season that was a few notches below his best, Sandro averaged 2.6 tackles per game and had an 85% pass success rate.
Without him in 10 outings, Juventus lost thrice and drew twice, highlighting his importance to the side. Sandro’s attacking abilities can add an additional layer to Brazil’s already stellar attack.
Midfield
Vidal (Chile)
The Barcelona player won an eighth consecutive league title this season, to continue a remarkable winning streak of league titles with Juventus, Bayern Munich and now Barca.
Vidal may be on the wrong side of 30, but has always given his all for his national side and been a key figure in their recent dominance at international level alongside Alexis Sanchez.
Vidal has been a regular presence in the Barcelona side this season and played a part in 33 league games this season, often sitting in a midfield three.
Vidal is likely to be pushed further forward, and his influence and experience will be a vital asset for his county if Chile is to manage the mythical threepeat.
Casemiro (Brazil)
Casemiro is something of a thermometer in the midfield, constantly measuring the temperature and providing the cool head which ensures Brazil never forget to lock the back door.
Tite’s use of a lone destroyer at the base of the midfield was widely viewed as a major step forward for Brazilian football after years of defensive sides fielding "double volantes."
And Casemiro’s ability to join in with the midfield passing and distribute from deep was vital to the most proactive Selecao in recent memory.
James Rodriguez (Colombia)
With his two-year loan deal at Bayern Munich coming to an end and Rodriguez confirming that he will not be making the move permanent, the 27-year-old is perhaps the most high-profile player at the tournament expected to be on the move this summer.
For one reason or another the Bundesliga champions couldn’t find a regular role for the South American despite scoring seven goals and registering three assists in just 1143 minutes of action.
Attack
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Barcelona might have been running on fumes, but the Argentine maestro was firing on all cylinders: 36 goals in LaLiga, 50 in all competitions, and Spanish Pichichi as well as the European Golden Boot in the bag. It was Lionel Messi just being Lionel Messi.
He literally peeled his side off the ground on multiple occasions and dragged them to a frankly undeserved victory. If only he was helped enough by his teammates, Messi would have finished the campaign with more than just a league title.
Copa America presents an opportunity to end a spectacular season on an altogether different high. We all know he’s been denied twice previously in the finals, but he’s at his rip-roaring best right now. And looks perfectly in shape to set the record straight.
Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Honestly, Atlanta’s breakout star Duvan Zapata has made a strong case to feature here after a terrific campaign in Serie A. But the Barcelona star still edges his Colombian counterpart as he’s been there and done that several times in the past.
A season touted to be ‘underwhelming’ regardless yielded 21 goals in the league, including a treble against arch rivals Real Madrid. And he’s just too important to Uruguay’s fortunes to have him dropped from the list.
Interestingly, this is set to his first proper participation in the Copa America since 2011, having missed the 2015 edition due to an international ban and the following one due to an injury. So naturally, Suarez would be raring to make a mark.
Sergio Aguero (Argentina)
Unlike his time at Barcelona, Messi won’t have to do it all by himself in the Argentine set-up, due to the presence of Sergio Aguero. The Manchester City star too is coming off the back of a prolific campaign, having struck 32 times in all competitions en route to lifting the domestic treble.
Aguero will be the focal point of La Albiceleste’s stellar vanguard, and will hope to fire his side to glory this time around.
joohnny10
83
miss you neymar😢