276 players from 12 national teams will be participating in the 2015 Copa America and while it may be hard to keep up with all of them, here are some young footballers that are destined to produce epic performances. In 26 games that will be played in the span of one month, the champion of South America will be crowned.
The tournament has served as a platform for many of the all-time greatest to consolidate
In 2011, Luis Suarez became an important piece of the Uruguayan team that won the tournament in Argentina. El Pistolero was named Copa America's best player. Four years later, he has won the treble with Barcelona and even scored a goal in the Champions League final. Who can be the next big thing in Chile?
Philippe Coutinho
Club: Liverpool
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22
The Liverpool midfielder is becoming a regular in a renewed Verde Amarela with Dunga after Luis Felipe Scolari left him out of the 2014 World Cup. Coutinho scored his first international goal in the game against Mexico and he has only been called to seven games.
Coutinho is a very quick player that can make the hardest decisions seem easy. The 22-year-old player has scored 32 goals in the Premier League with Liverpool since joining the team in January of 2013. With the absence of Oscar in Brazil, Coutinho can be Neymar's wingman in the attacking third.
Coutinho showed what he is capable of against El Tri
Jesus Corona
Club: FC Twente
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22
Mexico had to set up two different teams to face the Copa America and Gold Cup over the summer. "
As a winger, his speed and intelligence will be important for Mexico to help them create chances up front. Corona scored eight goals in the past season with Twente. With Mexico, don't expect him to be someone that looks to score constantly, but he could be the one to lead the assist department.
Corona is young but will play a big role with Mexico
Erik Lamela
Club: Tottenham Hotspurs
Position: Midfielder
Age: 23
Argentina has a long list of experienced players included in its roster, making it one of the favorites to win the Copa America this time. Within that group of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Marcos Rojo and company, the name of Lamela should not be forgotten. He is no stranger to incredible moments, like when Barcelona signed him when he was only six years old.
A kid that is slowly but surely developing the right way in England and finished the 2014-2015 season with seven assists (most for the club). His accuracy while passing is something that Gerardo Martino really admires from the young talent. He has shown that he can connect easily with those that surround him on the field.
Lamela's performances in the Premier League have sparked the interest of Juventus
Cristian Bonilla
Club: CD La Equidad
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 22
Safe hands
He is quick and keeps improving game after game. In 12 games played with his club this season, he made 41 saves. He is still waiting for his chance to debut with the senior team but has already played with the U-20 and the U-17.
Bonilla is ready for his senior team debut
Jose Maria Gimenez
Club: Atletico Madrid
Position: Defender
Age: 22
This young Colchonero was used by Diego Simeone 28 times throughout the season in which Atletico finished third in La Liga. In this Copa America, he will play alongside Diego Godin, his partner in Atletico, so it will be easier for him to move around the backfield.
He will play an important role in trying to help Uruguay defend their 2011 title. The Charruas have a lot of big absences from players that are either banned, injured or retired. Gimenez is mostly good at sliding tackles and his ability to read the game is also something people admire from the young Uruguayan player.
Gimenez became a regular in El Cholo's lineup
