Top-Notch Footballers from South America's Premier League in 2024
Vinícius Júnior
Top-Notch Footballers from South America's Premier League in 2024
At 24 years old, Vinícius Junior, the proficient Brazilian prodigy, garnered considerable acclaim as the top-notch South American soccer player worldwide in 2024. Regrettably, he fell short of securing the prestigious Ballon d’Or, although he almost clinched the title honoring the planet's best player.
In the prime European leagues, Vinícius led all South American competitors in goal contributions throughout the year, with an outstanding 46 contributions, which included 32 goals and 14 assists. This equated to a noteworthy contribution every 83 minutes of game time. Additionally, Vinícius added a goal for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund, aiding 'Los Blancos' in clinching the 2024 UEFA Champions League triumph.
Raphinha
Transforming from a player with questionable form, 2024 witnessed Raphinha's meteoric rise to become the captain at FC Barcelona. Positioned just behind Vinícius in goal contributions among South American players participating in Europe's top leagues, Raphinha produced a significant impact every 86 minutes of game time, notching 24 goals and 13 assists for a total of 37 contributions.
His crucial part in Barcelona's blazing start in the 2024-25 season saw him rack up 11 goals and 6 assists in merely 19 league games for the 'Culers.' Now, as his team's captain, his left foot remains unnervingly lethal as his ghostly figure from the right wing causes nightmares for opposition defenses.
Luis Díaz
During the 2024-25 Premier League season, Luis Díaz posted stellar numbers with eight goals from twelve starts, helping Liverpool inch closer to a title triumph. The Reds boast a formidable lineup of five to six world-class strikers, with all of them contributing significantly to their reign atop the league.
Díaz excelled in front of the goal, outperforming expectations based on his xG with a tally of five. His increased productivity in the final third Erstwhile criticisms of his game, which included underperforming in the final third, have been addressed in 2024.
Furthermore, Luis Díaz was a vital cog in the Colombian national team's journey to the Copa America final against Argentina and impressively made strides in South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lautaro Martínez
In the 2023-24 season, Serie A's scorers championship was clinched by Lautaro Martínez as Inter Milan's anchorman, recording the most goals in the Italian league. In the subsequent Copa America in 2024, his decisive strike in extra time led Argentina to victory after a thrilling final against Uruguay.
Lautaro's exceptional performance in the Copa America comes on the heels of his heroics at the 2022 World Cup, where he assumed a supporting role behind Lionel Messi and still managed to bring home a prize for his country.
A sublime strike against Peru during qualifying and a consistent run of form as Inter Milan mounted another title challenge suggest that Lautaro's strong performance will continue into 2025.
Emiliano Martínez
Emiliano Martínez, affectionately known as "Dibu" in Argentina, guided his nation to victory in the 2024 Copa America, securing a clean sheet against Colombia in the deciding match. Furthermore, as a reliable keeper for Aston Villa, he achieved remarkable results throughout the 2023-24 campaign, leading the team to a Champions League qualification spot.
Dibu boasted outstanding performances against prestigious competitors such as Juventus and Bayern Munich and dominated the Champions League spotlight. Consequently, his exceptional talent in goalkeeping cemented his status as one of the finest South American players in Europe today and was awarded FIFA's distinction as the best keeper of the year.
In the sports business world, Vinícius Júnior's impressive goal contributions, including 32 goals and 14 assists, attracted substantial sponsorship deals, further boosting his income beyond soccer.
Raphinha's rise to captaincy at FC Barcelona not only enhanced his on-field impact but also opened up new business opportunities for him, with endorsement deals from prominent brands in the sports industry.