Who is the best player in Copa América since 1987?

The modern Copa América era — from Brazil's 1989 triumph to Messi's crowning moments — has given us some of the greatest South American football ever played. Who defined this era?

1. 1
   Lionel Messi

   The modern Copa era's greatest player — won Golden Boot and Golden Ball in 2021 as Argentina finally ended their 28-year title drought, then retained the Copa in 2024 to cement his legacy.
2. 2
   Romário

   Brazil's lethal penalty-box predator was the Copa's most feared striker throughout the late 1980s and 1990s — quick, intelligent, and utterly clinical in the decisive moments.
3. 3
   Gabriel Batistuta

   Argentina's greatest Copa scorer of the modern era, leading his nation to victories in 1991 and 1993 with ruthless finishing and physical domination of opposing defences.
4. 4
   Ronaldo R9

   Unstoppable in Brazil's 1997 Copa win — his pace, power, and close control made him untouchable, delivering one of the most dazzling individual Copa America performances ever.
5. 5
   Ronaldinho

   Brazil's magician lit up multiple Copa editions with improvised skill, nutmegs, and trick goals — consistently the most entertaining player on any pitch, impossible to contain.
6. 6
   Carlos Valderrama

   Colombia's iconic playmaker orchestrated his nation's finest Copa period in the early 1990s with magical passing, vision, and the calm authority that made him South America's best No.10.
7. 7
   Alexis Sánchez

   Led Chile to back-to-back Copa títles in 2015 and 2016, with decisive performance in both finals — the defining player of Chile's greatest-ever era.
8. 8
   Juan Román Riquelme

   Argentina's mercurial number 10 was the Copa's most gifted playmaker of the 2000s, his languid, intelligent play and inch-perfect distribution making him unmatchable on his day.
9. 9
   Neymar

   Brazil's star won the 2019 Copa on home soil and has been consistently electrifying in the modern tournament, his individual brilliance making him impossible to prepare for.
10. 10
    Arturo Vidal

    Chile's combative midfielder was the engine of their 2015 and 2016 Copa triumphs, scoring crucial goals and bringing relentless intensity that elevated his whole team.
11. 11
    Ángel Di María

    Scored the decisive goal in the 2021 Copa final against Brazil, delivering the most important goal in Argentina's recent football history in a career-defining moment.
12. 12
    Marcelo Salas

    Chile's beloved striker terrorized Copa defences in the late 1990s and early 2000s with his sharp acrobatic finishing, becoming a symbol of Chilean football's growing ambitions.
13. 13
    Lautaro Martínez

    Argentina's physical and technical striker formed a devastating partnership with Messi during the 2021 and 2024 Copa victories, scoring crucial goals in both championship-winning campaigns.
14. 14
    Diego Forlán

    Uruguay's prolific striker was one of the Copa's most consistent modern scorers throughout the 2000s and 2010s, contributing decisive finishes across multiple campaigns for La Celeste.