As the Copa America 2024 approaches its start in the USA, teams will be banking on their selected squad of players to get them an edge over their opponents on the field. However, the final squads of several nations are without some of their key players who will be missing out due to injuries. A look at Copa America 2024 injuries and players who are forced to be sidelined.
1. Neymar
Neymar doesn’t feature in Brazil’s squad for the Copa America 2024. The Al-Hilal player suffered a major injury blow while playing for his country in one of the international friendlies during the latter stages of the year 2023. Unfortunately, from that very moment, the chances of his participation in the Copa America looked very bleak.
After going through a successful surgery, Neymar has been on the road to recovery and hasn’t played any competitive football lately. It was earlier reported that his rehabilitation period could make him miss the Copa America in the USA. His absence from the Dorival Junior’s team will be a huge blow for the manager to deal with.
With Neymar, in his starting eleven, Dorival would have known that a player who has terrific vision and irresistible finishing skills would have enhanced his side’s chances of winning. Now, Brazil will be heavily dependent on players like Vinicius Junior, Rodygo, and Endrick to step up and deliver.
2. Ederson
Having been the second-choice goalkeeper in the most recent years for Brazil on the international stage Ederson has lagged behind his Liverpool counterpart Alisson. The Man City man has however been impressive in whatever opportunities he has been presented with to represent his country at the highest level.
The 2024 Copa America was termed to be a tournament which could have massive ramifications on Ederson’s international career as opportunities might have come his way to play quite a few minutes under new head coach Dorival Junior. However, an eye fracture injury has ruled him out of Brazil’s squad for the tournament which he was initially selected for.
Ederson caught the eye injury during City’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur in the closing stages of the recently concluded Premier League season. He adds to the list of Copa America 2024 injuries.
3. Arturo Vidal
One of Chile’s most consistent players over the years on the international stage, Arturo Vidal doesn’t find himself in the country’s Copa America squad for the 48th edition of the prestigious tournament to be played in the USA. As per reports, his inconsistent run of form coupled along with his consistent injury issues leading up to the tournament has led to his exclusion from the team.
It is very rare to see the Chilean national football team not naming Vidal in their squad for a major tournament. The midfielder has dug out memorable performances on the international level for Chile. Having made his debut in February 2007 for Chile, Vidal has 134 caps for his country. Apart from his contributions in the midfield, he has also netted 34 goals for his country so far. It remains to be seen, how the team copes without his experience this time around.
Also Read: A tactical preview for Brazil playing in Copa America 2024
4. Richarlison
Eventually being a part of Brazil’s roster for the Copa America 2024, Richarlison was replaced from the team in the final stages. The forward suffered a major injury blow during a training session for his Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian had a pretty rough patch of inconsistent game time since the middle part of the 2023-2024 season, credited to his knack for catching injuries.
Richarlison did seem to be finding his rhythm in the Spurs colours before injuries pushed him to the sidelines. The Copa America could have proved to be a game-changer for him if he had managed to replicate his FIFA World Cup 2022 showing for his country again, but unfortunately, that didn’t turn out to be the case. He has been replaced by Evanilson who plays for Liga Portugal side Porto.
Pervis Estupinian
The Brighton & Hove Albion defender Pervis Estupinian has missed out on Ecuador’s Copa America 2024 squad. The left-back reportedly suffered an ankle injury. His injury is lashed out to be a serious one and the span of recovery might see him miss out on the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers for his country in the dying stages of this year as well.
Estupinian’s ability to find a balance between his defensive and attacking side of play could have proved to be a real asset for Ecuador in the Copa America this time around. His performances for Brighton have shown that he has the skills, pace, as well as the presence of mind to change a game during crucial phases. Also, there aren’t any names as of now with similar capabilities in Ecuador’s squad that are tipped to fill Estupinian’s boots for the tournament.
Also Read: Who are the major contenders for the Copa America 2024 Golden Boot?