In just over a month, Copa America 2024 will officially kick off in the US. By mid-May 2024, the participating teams have announced their participation list. Besides the young stars expected to shine, there are unfortunate absences at this Copa.
Recently, Sports 247 listed the top stars in South America who were absent.
1. Neymar
Last October, the former PSG star suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and torn meniscus in his left knee. This causes Neymar to have to take a long break from competition, until August 2024, which means missing the 2024 Copa America.
As of October 2023, Neymar has had a total of 79 goals out of 128 matches played for the Brazilian team. This number helped Neymar surpass the late legend Pele to become the player with the most goals for the team.
According to the Copa 2024 group stage match schedule, Brazil will meet Costa Rica, Paraguay and Colombia on June 25, 29 and July 3, respectively.
2. Casemiro
Casemiro – a midfielder who has 75 caps for the team and once wore the captain’s armband – did not appear, as he is experiencing a disappointing season at Man Utd.
After winning five Champions Leagues and three La Ligas with Real, in the summer of 2022, Casemiro landed at Man Utd for 70 million USD and earned a weekly salary of more than 400,000 USD. The Brazilian midfielder played successfully in the first season, helping Man Utd win the League Cup, reach the FA Cup final, and return to the Top 4 of the Premier League. But he declined and was continuously injured this season.
As of June 2023, this midfielder has 7 goals in a total of 71 matches in the Brazilian national team’s shirt.
3. Richarlison
According to Sports 247, Brazil’s top striker Richarlison will be absent from Copa America 2024 due to injury.
Richarlison is Brazil’s main striker at the 2022 World Cup and won the award for best goal of the tournament with a finishing kick in the victory over Serbia in the group stage. He has 12 goals and four assists in 31 appearances for Tottenham this season.
4. Ochoa
According to Marca, the longtime Mexican goalkeeper will not be called up to coach Jaime Lozano’s squad to attend the 2024 Copa America. The 38-year-old goalkeeper’s time is almost over with Mexico and this coach wants to open a new era. new source of talent before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ochoa has long been an iconic goalkeeper on the international stage. He has played 150 times for the national team, since 2004. In 20 years of international competition, Ochoa has filled the world with joy with his performances in international tournaments and his victories. hero at the World Cup and CONCACAF tournament.
5. Sergino Dest
Recently, star defender of the US national team Sergiño Dest officially announced on social networks that he will miss the Copa America due to a ligament injury.
Before his injury, this 23-year-old defender was a regular starter under coach Gregg Berhalter for the national team.
Dest was loaned from Barcelona to PSV in August 2023. Here, this player has two goals after 25 matches in the Dutch National Championship.
In the US national team, Dest has 2 goals in 33 international appearances and started all 4 matches for the US team at the 2022 World Cup.
According to Sports 247
