The 2021 edition of Copa America would be the 47th edition of the same. The tournament will commence on 13th June and would be concluded on 10th of July.
It would be held in Brazil for the sixth time, with the host being the defending champion in 2019 when they won the trophy for the 9th time in front of their home fans.
It would be played across five stadiums in four Brazilian cities who will be the hosts. They are Maracana and Estadio Nilson Santos in Rio de Janiero, Estadio Olimpico in Goiania, Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba and the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia.
So here are are ranking the top 5 contenders who can win this year's Copa America trophy.
1. Brazil:
Undoubtedly, the favourites again, the most striking reason for its being the top contender is its clean record of winning the title as host. In the previous five editions as host, it has won every single time.
Adding to it is the great form of the team winning all the qualifiers for the upcoming FIFA World Cup they're in great shape. Their main marksman Neymar id currently on a different level providing assists as well as securing important goals.
With having the two best goal keepers in Ederson and Allison there defence looks unbreakable as they also have Casemiro who has been absolutely brilliant for club and country throughout this season.
With Tite being the Coach and many young and aspiring players on the horizon it would be a massive task to beat Brazil, specially in their own soil.
2. Argentina:
Probably the only team who can beat Brazil is join other than there arch rivals Argentina. Having the greatest of the game Messi this could be his final opportunity to give his last try to win the Copa America trophy to clear out his drought of international trophy.
This is one of the best opportunity for Messi as he has the lines of Lautaro Martinez and Di Maria to support him in attacking third. As well as an experienced keeper like Romero send the likes of Tagliafico and Paredes to sort out the defensive duties.
It would be a bit hard for them as they've been pinned on the group of death but yet the Argentine fans have all the faith in then that they'll get through the group stages easily.
3. Chile:
The surprise winners of back to back two Copa America edition in 2015 & 16. But since then their standards has just gone down but they're still a formidable dude as they still have the potential to best any team on their day.
They have an experienced keeper in Bravo as well as an experienced and trophy winning Striker duo in Sanchez and Vargas who're just simply vicious in front of goal.
Though there midfield and all together the squad looks a bit unstable but they're indeed a force to be reckoned with specially when it comes to the latter stages of the tournament.
4. Uruguay:
Despite being a top team in the continent and the world, they will be considered a dark horse. Despite winning this trophy for 15 times in recent editions they've failed to make any major impact.
Though this year having the most deadly and in form duo of Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani makes them dangerous in front of goal with the supplies from the young and rejuvenating midfield having the likes of Betancur and Valverde they look pretty strong.
Their defense looks a bit lagging in peace but having the experience of Godin and handling of Muslera would help them a lot.
5. Columbia:
Despite being one of the top sides in Latin America globally, Colombia has seen a substantial dip in its form over the past years. It has had a horrible FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
They would also be without their start players, James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, for the tournament, making things extremely difficult. Though the likes of Zapata, Cuadrado, Diaz giving them hopes upfront and Sanchez, Mina duo is finally finding their rhythm in the defensive half.
Nevertheless, the side's ex-coach Reinaldo Rueda is back to manage the side, while it had a remarkable tenure under him. Making them surprise favorites for this tournament.
Though there are still some uncertainty about the tournament as many senior players from the Brazil team wants to speak up and skip the tournament as they've concerns over the decision of the tournament getting held in Brazil.
As the country is still not fully recovered from the Covid pandemic send they fear this tournament would make the situation even worse. But as per the latest reports the tournament will go on as the schedule suggests and we hope that it happens without any risk.
Written by: Gourav Chowdhury
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