The Copa America is well and truly underway, with the likes of Brazil and Colombia already playing their opening matches.
Naturally, there’s a wealth of talent competing such as Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez – alongside our very own Coutinho – who’s earned himself a starting spot in Dunga’s Brazil side.
But as well as the superstars, there’s a wealth of teenage talent who could one day develop into world renowned players themselves.
Here’s five of the best youngsters at the competition. How we’d love to unexpectedly snap up one of these…
Hirving Lozano – Mexico
Manchester United have already approached Pachuca about a potential deal for Lozano, the coveted Mexican forward who’s already played over 100 times in his homeland – scoring 33 goals in total. Lozano can play on the flanks or up top, and is the best player to come from Mexico since Javier Hernandez – who initially did excellently when transferring to the Premier League. We hope Liverpool are keeping tabs on Lozano as well, because his potential is enormous and his pace and skill would inject something different into our forward line.
Gabriel Barbosa – Brazil
Perhaps the biggest teenage talent anywhere outside of Europe. Gabigol, as the striker is known, is rated as the next Neymar, having scored a hatful of goals at Santos before his 20th birthday. He’s earned a call-up for Brazil as a result, where he’s already bagged a goal in two appearances. Barbosa is rapid, has bags of tricks and is lethal in front of goal. He’ll end in Europe soon, and will cost huge money. Liverpool should be keeping tabs and making sure Coutinho is singing our praises!
Marlos Moreno – Colombia
Liverpool have been continuously linked with the 19-year-old wing-forward, so will no doubt be watching him carefully this summer. He plies his trade for Atlético Nacional in his homeland, where he’s lit up the domestic league and impressed in the Copa Libertadores as well. Moreno likes to play on the left in a 4-3-3, where he cuts in on his right and shoots on goal.
Jeisson Vargas – Chile
Just 18, Vargas is the wildcard pick in a talented Chilean forward line which includes Alexis Sanchez. He plays for Universidad Católica in his homeland, where he’s already scored nine goals. Unbelievably, he’s only 5 ft. 3″ tall, which is genuinely tiny – but we guess he’s got a few more years of growth left in him! His close control is stunning, and he can shift the ball away from defenders at will, but his lack of physicality would obviously be a serious problem in Europe.
Christian Pulisic – USA
The 17-year-old is in the USA squad after breaking through at Borussia Dortmund in Germany last season. The pint-sized playmaker has wonderful feet and can create chances for strikers at will. To be getting Bundesliga minutes at his age, especially for the second best club in the competition, is very impressive. Pulisic came off the bench during USA’s opener, but couldn’t prevent them losing 2-0 to Colombia.