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?

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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