Once a tournament begins, it can feel as though it takes over the entire world. Similar to Huckleberry Finn on his raft, everything and everyone worth noting can be found within the competition. However, in the moments leading up to the event, there's still an opportunity to reflect on those who, for various reasons, have been left out.
Here's a 2024 Copa América "Missing Men" team in a 3-3-2-2 system. These are players that may have played in the United States except for injuries or key coaching choices. This team has the ability to win the Copa América 2024.
GOALKEEPER
Ederson (Brazil)
The Manchester City custodian, noted for his strong left foot, performed key roles in the last Copa America in 2021. However, he has spent the most of his seven years with the Brazilian national team, including the previous two FIFA World Cups, as Alisson's backup.
With new coach Dorival Júnior in control, this tournament may have been Ederson's chance to start a new cycle as the first-choice keeper. Unfortunately, he was nominated to the team but had to withdraw due to a slight fracture in his eye socket sustained during a match against Tottenham in the last week of the Premier League season.
Gary Medel (Chile)
New Chile coach Ricardo Gareca seems unconcerned about age, having called up numerous veterans from the 2015 and 2016 Copa América winning sides. However, in selecting these picks, he has left out Gary Medel, the tough "pit bull" who progressed from Chile's excellent Under-20 squad in 2007 as a midfielder before being turned into a gritty center-back by coach Marcelo Bielsa. With nearly 160 caps for his country, this exclusion might spell the end of Medel's international career.
Estupinan (Ecuador)
Ecuador has opted to press forward without Arboleda, although would have loved to have Estupiñán available. The Brighton & Hove Albion left-back has been sidelined with an ankle injury and may struggle to recover in time for the World Cup qualifiers later this year. This is a severe setback. Ecuador relies heavily on his explosive dashes down the wing and strong left foot, and there appears to be no acceptable successor.
Robert Arboleda( Ecuador)
Arboleda, a speedy and aggressive centre defender, has been a member of Ecuador's team for eight years. While not always the first choice, he was picked whenever he was healthy, appearing in the Qatar World Cup and the previous three Copa Américas. However, he will not be attending this one, which is often interpreted as a punishment. During the March FIFA days, Arboleda and winger Gonzalo Plata (who is also banned) brought the then-16-year-old Kendry Paez to a New York nightclub. Coach Felix Sanchez Bas wasn't impressed.
MIDFIELDER
Arturo Vidal (Chile)
Arturo Vidal, a force of nature—and often a storm of rage—in Chile's midfield since 2007, has not been called up for the Copa America. Vidal has been left out, but Alexis Sánchez, his teammate in Chile's golden period and maybe his competition for dressing room domination, has retained his position. His comeback to South America, first in Brazil and subsequently to Colo Colo, has been hampered by injuries and uneven form. It will surely be unusual to watch Chile participate in a tournament without him.
Casemiro (Brazil)
A previous Brazil coach once described Casemiro as the squad's competitive leader, and he has anchored the midfield for over eight years, frequently captaining the team. However, his second season at Manchester United was extremely disappointing, with the youngster frequently unable to keep up with the tempo. Meanwhile, a new generation of Brazilian central midfielders has developed, causing head coach Dorival Júnior to conclude he could do without Casemiro, who is 32 years old.
MatÃas Vecino (Uruguay)
Playing for South American national teams is regarded as such an honour that players seldom withdraw from international action while still in contention for a berth. MatÃas Vecino, who is only 32 years old, recently accomplished this feat. For the previous eight years, he has served as Uruguay's midfield cornerstone. However, possibly disillusioned by losing his starting spot to Manuel Ugarte, Vecino indicated that his tenure with the national team was finished.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Paulo Dybala (Argentina)
Coach Lionel Scaloni said that keeping Paulo Dybala out of his Copa América roster was a difficult choice. Despite playing over 40 matches in nine years, the Roma offensive midfielder has seldom, if ever, replicated his club form in an Argentina shirt. Injuries have been a concern, and Dybala has conceded that he has struggled to connect with Lionel Messi. His absence indicates that Scaloni does not see Dybala as a long-term substitute for Messi.
Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar's absence from the Copa América owing to a major injury suffered while on international duty last year raises concerns regarding his recovery. However, one of the most important aspects of the Brazil campaign is not only focused on Neymar. If the young strikers play well, coach Dorival Júnior may not feel the need to recall Neymar, who just overtook Pelé as Brazil's all-time leading goal scorer.
In the early stages of his career, Neymar had a conflict with his coach at Santos, which ended in Dorival Júnior's dismissal. It remains to be seen whether their connection will go further.
STRIKERS
Richarlison (Brazil)
Richarlison was initially listed in Brazil's squad until the morning before the call-up, when he suffered an injury while practicing at Tottenham and was replaced by Porto's Evanilson. This was a big setback for Richarlison, who has struggled to completely justify his £60 million ($75.7 million) transfer cost to Tottenham. Nonetheless, he has regularly produced as a sniper for his nation, capable of attacking penalty areas and finishing off chances set up by Neymar or excellent wingers.
Richarlison's place as Brazil's first-choice center-forward is uncertain, while young wonder Endrick impresses.
Richarlison's place as Brazil's first-choice center-forward is uncertain, while young wonder Endrick impresses.
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
Uruguay's head coach, Marcelo Bielsa, has been rebuilding the team, and he has yet to find a place for Edinson Cavani, the national team's second all-time top scorer. Cavani declared his retirement from international football after realising he had been left out of the Copa América roster, capping off a career that featured four World Cups and five Copa América editions.
Cavani, known for his intense work ethic, is sometimes compared to a box-to-box striker. Despite being behind Luis Suárez and Diego Forlan in the pecking order, he readily accepted a selfless role on the left flank. This will be Uruguay's first big competition without Cavani since the 2007 Copa.
