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Copa America 2016: 10 stars to light up the tournament

Chile's forward Alexis Sanchez (L) vies for the ball with Argentina's forward Lionel Messi during their 2015 Copa America final football match in Santiago

Some of the biggest stars in football will be in action when the Copa America Centenario kicks off on Friday.

Lionel Messi will be looking to avenge Argentina's final defeat to Chile a year ago, while Alexis Sanchez seeks a repeat of that triumph.

Here are 10 names to keep an eye on in the United States...

Philippe Coutinho scores his first Brazil goal
Image: Philippe Coutinho has an opportunity to impress with Brazil this summer

Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)

The Liverpool player finds himself on the fringes of Dunga's Brazil team, having made only one substitute appearance in World Cup qualifying so far, but will be anxious to make a breakthrough in America. Playing from the left flank, he provided the assist for the opening goal in the recent win over Panama and - untarnished by the team's World Cup failure two years ago - is at an age, 23, where he could emerge as a star of the national team.

Argentina's Angel Di Maria celebrates after scoring
Image: Argentina's Angel Di Maria has had a good season with PSG

Angel Di Maria (Argentina)

Di Maria scored twice in a semi-final win over Paraguay in last year's tournament, but actually comes into this one in better form after a fine debut season with Paris Saint-Germain. His 18 assists were a Ligue 1 high and with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain awaiting Di Maria's service, he'll be expected to deliver in America, too. It's Chile first up and he'll hope for a repeat of March's World Cup qualifier in which he scored in a 2-1 win.

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Javier Hernandez celebrates after his team scored during a Group A football match between Croatia and Mexico at the Pernambuco Arena
Image: Javier Hernandez will be hoping to take his Leverkusen form to America

Javier Hernandez (Mexico)

Hernandez was omitted from Mexico's squad for last summer's tournament but the former Manchester United striker will be key to their hopes in the United States. Chicharito was one of the stars of German football last season, scoring 26 goals for Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions as they finished third behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. He averages a goal every other game for Mexico.

Sergio Aguero (Argentina)

For all the talent in Argentina's forward line, it was Aguero who top scored for his country at last year's Copa America in Chile - including a winner against Uruguay. But he's yet to net in World Cup qualifying and while the Manchester City forward weighed in with 24 Premier League goals in the 2015/16 season, he still faces a fight for a berth in Argentina's team given the fine form of Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain. Aguero's impact may need to be from the bench but don't bet against him.

Rafael Marquez of Mexico
Image: Rafael Marquez is appearing in yet another major tournament with Mexico

Rafael Marquez (Mexico)

Another year, another tournament for Mexico's veteran. It's six years since Marquez left Barcelona for New York Red Bulls with his career apparently winding down, but now aged 37, he's still playing a part for his country. Remarkably, this is his sixth Copa America, 17 years on from his first, but he's still waiting for a first winners' medal. Expect to see those trademark raking passes from deep and the usual elegance, even as his mobility declines.

Lionel Messi in action for Argentina against Mexico
Image: Messi will be aiming to end his wait for Copa America glory with Argentina

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Argentina's captain is preparing for his fourth Copa America and hoping for a different result. He's twice finished runner-up in this tournament, having scored in the shoot-out only to see his team-mates miss in the defeat to Chile in last year's final. He's fresh and in form, having done the double with Barcelona, and having been given permission to skip the Olympics, there's added pressure on Messi to finally win a senior trophy with his country.

Paraguay's forward Nelson Valdez and Jamaica's defender Wesley Morgan vie during their 2015 Copa America football championship match
Image: Leicester's Wes Morgan is looking to cause another upset with Jamaica

Wes Morgan (Jamaica)

After playing every minute of Leicester's Premier League title-winning campaign, Morgan is out to cause another shock with Jamaica. The Reggae Boyz are 150/1 outsiders for the crown, but Morgan knows a thing or two about upsetting the odds. The centre-back was ever-present when they were eliminated at the group stages last summer, and this year's draw has pitted them in a tough group with Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring
Image: James Rodriguez will look to put club problems behind him with Colombia

James Rodriguez (Colombia)

Colombia's Copa America challenge ended at the quarter-final stage last year. James, one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup, will be hoping for a longer run in the United States after a frustrating season with Real Madrid. The midfielder struggled to hold down a starting spot in the Spanish capital in 2015/16. He ended the campaign as an unused substitute in their Champions League final triumph over Atletico.

Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring the winning penalty for Chile at the Copa America
Image: Sanchez scored the winning penalty in last year's Copa America

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Sanchez was Chile's hero last year, converting the winning spot kick as they beat Argentina on penalties in the final in Santiago. The 27-year-old will be aiming for a similar contribution this summer, and he goes into the tournament having rediscovered his best form with Arsenal. Sanchez was below his best for much of the campaign, but six goals in his last eight appearances ensured he ended the domestic season on a high.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring against Brazil
Image: Luis Suarez has fitness issues but will be hoping to play a big part

Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

A thigh injury in Barcelona's Copa del Rey triumph over Sevilla has complicated Suarez's preparations for this tournament and he is unlikely to see much action in the group stages. That's a huge frustration for a player eager to make up for lost time, having been suspended for last year's competition. If fit, he is expected to be one of the stars in America having been the top scorer in Europe in 2015/16, netting 14 goals in his last six games in La Liga.

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