The Copa Sudamericana is usually thought to be South America’s hidden gem—a event brimming with ardour, depth, and rising expertise. Whereas the Copa Libertadores usually steals the highlight, the Sudamericana has developed right into a aggressive showcase for rising stars throughout the continent. Yr after 12 months, it produces breakout gamers who go on to dazzle in prime European leagues or earn nationwide group call-ups.
The 2024 version of the Copa Sudamericana isn’t any completely different. With contemporary expertise from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and past, this 12 months’s competitors is already proving to be a fertile floor for scouting the subsequent technology of South American soccer legends.
On this article, we spotlight the prime rising stars to look at on this 12 months’s event—gamers with the expertise, mindset, and trajectory to make a world affect.
What Is the Copa Sudamericana?
Organized by CONMEBOL, the Copa Sudamericana is the second-most prestigious membership competitors in South American soccer, akin to UEFA’s Europa League. It options groups from all 10 South American nations and gives an important platform for golf equipment—and gamers—that won’t have the large budgets or fame of Copa Libertadores giants.
Many now-famous stars—like James Rodríguez, Miguel Almirón, and Richarlison—obtained early publicity on this event earlier than making it massive in Europe.
1. Luciano Gondou (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina)
Place: Ahead
Age: 22
A dynamic striker with glorious motion and scientific ending, Luciano Gondou has already caught the attention of prime Argentine scouts and European golf equipment alike. After a standout efficiency on the U-23 South American Pre-Olympic Match, Gondou now carries his momentum into the Copa Sudamericana.
Why He’s One to Watch:
- Distinctive positional sense within the field
- Robust aerial capacity regardless of modest peak
- Excessive work price off the ball
If he continues to attain at his present price, count on a giant transfer to La Liga or Serie A within the close to future.
2. Kevin Mantilla (Fortaleza EC, Brazil)
Place: Middle-back
Age: 20
Nationality: Colombian
Lately signed by Fortaleza after spectacular showings with Colombia’s U-20 squad and Santa Fe, Kevin Mantilla is a defensive rock within the making. Tall, composed, and tactically mature, he presents an ideal mix of physicality and ball-playing abilities.
🔍 Why He’s One to Watch:
- Already a daily starter in a aggressive Brazilian aspect
- Spectacular maturity and positioning for his age
- Robust passing vary—very best for contemporary center-backs
With Fortaleza trying sturdy on this 12 months’s group stage, Mantilla shall be examined—and more likely to shine on a much bigger stage.
3. Facundo Echevarría (Lanús, Argentina)
Place: Winger / Attacking Midfielder
Age: 19
Nonetheless below the radar exterior Argentina, Echevarría is a technically gifted winger who thrives in 1v1 conditions. Representing Lanús, a membership recognized for nurturing younger expertise, he’s earned minutes in key Sudamericana fixtures regardless of his younger age.
🔍 Why He’s One to Watch:
- Distinctive dribbling and shut management
- Robust left foot with a eager eye for aim
- Fast acceleration and alter of path
He brings aptitude and unpredictability to Lanús’ assault—an archetype of the traditional Argentine enganche reborn on the wing.
4. Patrickson Delgado (Independiente del Valle, Ecuador)
Place: Central Midfielder
Age: 20
Independiente del Valle continues to supply world-class abilities, and Patrickson Delgado could possibly be the subsequent in line. On mortgage from Ajax, the Ecuadorian is gaining useful match expertise and presents composure and creativity within the heart of the pitch.
Why He’s One to Watch:
- Educated in Europe, tailored to South American depth
- Combines tactical intelligence with technical sharpness
- Versatile: can play as a deep-lying playmaker or box-to-box engine
Count on him to be a standout as IDV chases one other deep Sudamericana run.
5. Endrick Felipe (Palmeiras, Brazil)
Place: Striker
Age: 17
Whereas principally recognized for his contributions in home and Copa Libertadores matches, Endrick is registered and eligible for Palmeiras’ Sudamericana marketing campaign, ought to the membership rotate or relegate to the competitors at later phases. Already signed by Actual Madrid, Endrick is arguably probably the most hyped teenager in world soccer.
Why He’s One to Watch:
- Unbelievable bodily energy and poise for an adolescent
- Eye for aim, instinctive striker’s motion
- Humble demeanor and fierce work ethic
Even when he options briefly in Sudamericana matches, all eyes shall be on him. He represents not simply expertise—however future superstardom.
6. Luciano Arriagada (Athletico Paranaense, Brazil)
Place: Striker
Age: 21
Nationality: Chilean
After rising by Colo-Colo’s youth system and transferring to Brazil, Arriagada is beginning to get alternatives in continental matches. Highly effective and direct, he brings a extra conventional No. 9 method however with trendy pace and aggression.
Why He’s One to Watch:
- Bodily striker who holds up play properly
- Aerially dominant and assured in entrance of aim
- Keen to interrupt into Chile’s senior nationwide group
If Athletico Paranaense progresses deep into the event, Arriagada could possibly be a key determine up entrance.
7. Agustín Rodríguez (Peñarol, Uruguay)
Place: Midfielder
Age: 20
Peñarol, Uruguay’s most historic membership, continues to belief its youth. Agustín Rodríguez, a deep-lying playmaker with imaginative and prescient and composure, has grow to be a central piece of Peñarol’s midfield engine.
Why He’s One to Watch:
- Glorious passing vary and tempo management
- Calm below strain—an indication of maturity
- Can function as a No. 6 or a No. 8 in a number of formations
With Peñarol in search of continental success after years of rebuilding, Rodríguez might anchor their midfield resurgence.
8. Joao Peglow (Internacional, Brazil)
Place: Ahead / Attacking Midfielder
Age: 22
Returning to Internacional after a stint in Europe, Joao Peglow is a artistic ahead seeking to reignite his profession. He brings aptitude, technical dribbling, and a knack for unlocking defenses.
🔍 Why He’s One to Watch:
- Expertise in each Brazil and Europe at a younger age
- Fluid in transition and harmful within the last third
- Hungry to show himself on the continental stage
With the correct run of kind, Peglow might emerge as one of many comeback tales of this 12 months’s event.
Why Copa Sudamericana Is Key for Rising Skills
The Copa Sudamericana performs a singular and essential function within the improvement of younger South American footballers. Here is why:
Growth Platform:
- Presents common worldwide match expertise
- Supplies high-pressure environments with out the media frenzy of Libertadores
Scouting Publicity:
- European and MLS scouts continuously monitor Sudamericana matches
- Efficiency right here can fast-track strikes to top-tier leagues
Alternative for Progress:
- Skills get to problem veterans and seasoned gamers
- Provides versatility and psychological energy to their skillset
Scouting Patterns to Watch
For followers, brokers, and golf equipment, right here are some things to search for when analyzing these rising stars:
- Consistency below strain in dwelling and away legs
- Positional intelligence in opposition to prime defenders
- Adaptability when confronted with various tactical types
- Work ethic and off-the-ball motion
- Determination-making in transition and last third play
Tomorrow’s Stars, Right this moment
The Copa Sudamericana 2024 is greater than only a continental membership competitors—it’s a launchpad for the way forward for soccer. The gamers listed below are not simply rising stars—they’re future internationals, future Champions League rivals, and, maybe, future Ballon d’Or nominees.
Because the event progresses, followers and scouts alike can have the chance to witness uncooked expertise being cast in real-time—in hostile stadiums, below intense strain, and with nationwide satisfaction on the road.
So, whether or not you’re watching from South America or streaming throughout the globe, preserve your eyes on these names—they’re writing the subsequent chapter of world soccer, one Sudamericana match at a time.
