Teenage sensation Neymar is the overwhelming favourite to run away with the trophy.
Santos striker Neymar and Universidad de Chile striker Eduardo Vargas are the front runners to be named South American Footballer of the Year for 2011. The poll conducted by prized Uruguayan newspaper El Pais signalled that one of the two youngsters will claim the honours.
Neymar, who is without doubt the hottest property in South American soccer at the moment, played a key role as Santos lifted the Copa Libertadores for the third time after beating Penarol in the final in June. He also guided Santos to the Paulista State championship and earned himself a starting eleven spot in the Brazilian national team.
He was one of Brazil's best players in the Copa America, but he couldn't do anything as the Selecao were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the competition after losing a penalty shootout to Paraguay.
Meanwhile, Vargas topped the scoring charts of the Copa Sudamericana, with eleven goals, including three in the final against Liga de Quito, as Universidad de Chile won the first international title in their entire history.
Vargas also led La 'U' to the Chilean Apertura championship and has the opportunity to lead the side to the treble if they pick up at least a point against Cobreloa in the Chilean Clausura championship decider on Thursday.
Neymar and Vargas are followed by Boca Juniors leaders Juan Roman Riquelme and Rolando Schiavi, Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Jhonny Herrera and Santos and Brazil playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso.
The winner of the award will be announced on December 31. The trophy will be passed on by 2010 South American Player of the Year Andres D'Alessandro of Internacional and Argentina.
Neymar, who is without doubt the hottest property in South American soccer at the moment, played a key role as Santos lifted the Copa Libertadores for the third time after beating Penarol in the final in June. He also guided Santos to the Paulista State championship and earned himself a starting eleven spot in the Brazilian national team.
He was one of Brazil's best players in the Copa America, but he couldn't do anything as the Selecao were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the competition after losing a penalty shootout to Paraguay.
Meanwhile, Vargas topped the scoring charts of the Copa Sudamericana, with eleven goals, including three in the final against Liga de Quito, as Universidad de Chile won the first international title in their entire history.
Vargas also led La 'U' to the Chilean Apertura championship and has the opportunity to lead the side to the treble if they pick up at least a point against Cobreloa in the Chilean Clausura championship decider on Thursday.
Neymar and Vargas are followed by Boca Juniors leaders Juan Roman Riquelme and Rolando Schiavi, Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Jhonny Herrera and Santos and Brazil playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso.
The winner of the award will be announced on December 31. The trophy will be passed on by 2010 South American Player of the Year Andres D'Alessandro of Internacional and Argentina.
