The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) announced the ideal eleven of the oldest national team tournament in the world after the completion of the Copa America United States 2024, competition that had Argentina as champion. The Albiceleste, also current world champion after winning in Qatar 2022, managed to retain the crown obtained in Brazil 2021 after beating Colombia in the final.
Lionel Scaloni’s men, in addition to winning their 16th title in this competition (they are the tournament’s most successful), were also the team that contributed the most players to this dream team, with five representatives: Emiliano Dibu Martinez, Cristian Cuti Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez.
“The Argentine goalkeeper conceded just one goal, saved two penalties in the quarter-final against Ecuador and was chosen as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. This was his second Copa America and he was champion in both,” said the body in charge of regulating football in the region to justify the choice of the man from Aston Villa in England.
When referring to the Tottenham centre-back, they said that “he formed a dream central duo with Lisandro Martínez”. Regarding the Atlético de Madrid midfielder, they described him as “the reference point for the Albiceleste team”. He was one of the driving forces in the Scaloneta midfield, providing an assist and “all his movement in the midfield”.
Two members of the attacking trident were Argentines. One was captain Lionel Messi, who scored one goal and provided an assist. The other was Lautaro Martínez, who “scored both in the opening match and the goal that defined Argentina’s 16th title.” He was the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
June 29, 2024 Saturday photo of Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez celebrating after scoring the opening goal against Peru REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
Colombia, runners-up in the competition, provided two players: central defender Davinson Sánchez (who led the ranking of successful interceptions -10- and clearances -25-) and creative midfielder James Rodríguez, who scored one goal and provided six assists. The rest of the ideal eleven? It includes some surprises, such as Canadian right-back Alistar Johnson, Ecuadorian left-back Piero Hincapié, Uruguayan central midfielder Manuel Ugarte and Brazilian forward Raphinha.
Therefore, the ideal 11 of the Copa América United States 2024 was formed as follows: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina); Alistar Johnson (Canada), Cristian Romero (Argentina), Davinson Sanchez (Colombia), Piero Hincapie (Ecuador); Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina), Manuel Ugarte (Uruguay), James Rodriguez (Colombia); Lionel Messi (Argentina), Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) and Raphinha (Brazil).
It is worth noting that the CONMEBOL teams will be back in official action at the beginning of September, when the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico resume. After six rounds, Argentina leads the competition with 15 points, followed by Uruguay (13) and Colombia (12). The rest of the direct tickets to the next World Cup are currently for Venezuela (9), Ecuador (8) and Brazil (7). Paraguay (5), on the other hand, would be competing in the Repechage by beating Chile on goal difference. Bolivia (3) and Peru (2) are in the final round.
