By: COLIN REESE
1. Lionel MESSI (Argentina)
The Argentina attacker is the undisputed best player in the Copa America and in world football. Messi not only blazes through seas of defenders off the dribble, but the Argentine can also unlock any defense with his passing and with what Ray Hudson calls his fly’s eye vision. Messi’s peers refer to him as an alien, and everyone knows Messi is the best.
2. NEYMAR (Brazil)
The Brazilian and Barcelona forward has reach a level just below Messi, and like Messi, his game is not only based on dribbling and goals but also on exceptional passing as well. Neymar’s star continues to rise, and he’s currently carrying the Seleção on his back. Neymar is known for his individual skill, but he is an outstanding team player that displayed his ability to play team soccer by how he played with Messi and Luís Suárez last season for Barcelona.
3. Alexis SÁNCHEZ (Chile)
Alexis Sánchez or Electric Sánchez – another Ray Hudson nickname – uses a low center of gravity combined with speed and technical ability to attack the opposition without mercy. The Chilean forward seems to always stay on his feet or pop right back up to continue to assault opposition defenses. Easily the best player in the EPL last season, Sánchez is among the top 10 players in all of world football.
4. Arturo VIDAL (Chile)
King Arthur has to be considered either the top midfielder in the world or amongst the top three or four midfielders. Vidal is a complete midfielder that not only has a knack for scoring goals and burying penalty kicks, but he also runs and defends without tire. The only other midfielders in the Copa America close to Vidal’s level are Javier Mascherano and Javier Pastore of Argentina.
5. Javier PASTORE (Argentina)
The Argentina attacking midfielder improved his efficacy and influence by leaps and bounds this past club season with Paris Saint-Germain. Known for his technical ability, vision, passing, and dribbling, Pastore has now become a midfielder that wins back possession, runs all game, and stamps his influence all over the field.
6. Ángel DI MARÍA (Argentina)
The Argentina winger attacks with captivating speed and skill, and he has a cannon of a left foot that also strikes with placement and grace. The fact that Di María is starting for a national team with so much competition is a testament to how skilled of an attacker he is.
7. Jorge VALDIVIA (CHILE)
El Mago Valdivia is amongst a small few true Number 10s in world football. The Chilean playmaker has a rare ability to orchestrate an attack and play with a level of passing skill and vision that few today can match. Valdivia almost looked like the last of the true Number 10s until Pastore fulfilled his potential this past club season.
8. Sergio AGÜERO (Argentina)
The EPL’s top scorer is younger than Carlos Tevez and better than Gonzalo Higuaín, and all of these qualities represent just how talented he is. His goal off a crazed diving header against Uruguay showcased that not only is he skilled and quick, but that he also buries the ball in the back of the net when even half a chance to score presents itself.
9. JAMES RODRÍGUEZ (Colombia)
Known simply as James, the Colombian attacking midfielder’s game is still improving and becoming complete but his scoring ability and creativity are world famous. The 2014 World Cup golden boot winner will only get better for Colombia and for Real Madrid. His star is still on the rise.
10. DANIEL ALVES (Brazil)
Daniel Alves is an under appreciated right back that is somewhat of a scapegoat and whipping boy for Barcelona and Brazil fans, but his past season with Barcelona was perhaps his best ever. The Baiano still has several years at the pinnacle of world soccer.