Alejandro Garnacho

Nation: Argentina
Age: 19
Position: Winger
Caps: 5 (0 goals)
Club: Manchester United

The Manchester United forward is coming into the tournament off the back of a stellar season for his club individually. Ten goals and five assists, including the opener in the FA Cup final against Man City, in a struggling side is no mean feat for a teenager.

Garnacho, born and raised in Spain but eligible for Argentina through his parents, is likely to be an impact sub for Lionel Scaloni as the Albiceleste look to defend their crown. The coach says he has a "huge future" with the national team.

The United winger's idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, and he's been known to pay homage to his former team-mate by replicating his celebration. This has been a talking point within the Argentina squad, which, of course, includes Lionel Messi.

"The only thing I wouldn’t copy is Cristiano's goal celebration," said Angel Di Maria. "I’d do it the way Messi does. Messi’s the best of all time... so I'll stick with him." 

Garnacho may have to put his love for Ronaldo to one side at Copa America to avoid falling foul of the GOAT-debate politics. Although, if he can replicate his club form this summer for Argentina, all of that will be forgotten in the USA.

Endrick

Nation: Brazil
Age: 17
Position: Striker
Caps: 6 (3 goals)
Club: Palmeiras (Real Madrid from July)

Endrick is no longer just a name, he is a reality. Ever since his nearly £60m transfer to Real Madrid was confirmed aged just 16, the Brazil striker has been recognised as one of the world's most exciting prospects.

The teenager announced himself to a European audience in March aged 17, scoring the winner against England and an important goal in a draw against Spain. Those were his first goals for Brazil.

Endrick has continued that goalscoring form in the warm-up games for this tournament. His header deep in stoppage-time, set up by Vinicius Junior, secured a late win over Mexico. The pair will be linking up for Real Madrid from next season, with Endrick's transfer becoming official in July when he turns 18.

Despite his age, Endrick has been entrusted with the No 9 shirt at Copa America. Head coach Dorival Junior has so far used him off the bench, but expect Endrick to have an influential role for Brazil in the USA regardless.

Endrick has played his final game for Palmeiras, the club he has been at since a boy, and is entering a new chapter in his career. Once Copa America is over, his next stop will be Real Madrid. This is just the beginning.

Kendry Paez

Nation: Ecuador
Age: 17
Position: Attacking midfielder
Caps: 9 (1 goal)
Club: Independiente del Valle (Chelsea from 2025)

Chelsea's extravagant spending over the past two years has captured plenty of attention, but the hundreds of millions they have spent in Europe means their recruitment in South America has gone a little under the radar.

At 17, Kendry Paez has technically been a Chelsea player since June 2023, when the Blues committed more than £17m to sign him from Independiente del Valle. But the teenager must continue to be patient - he can only move to London when he turns 18 next summer.

It's an enticing prospect for Chelsea fans. Paez has already recorded nearly 50 appearances for Independiente after emerging from the Ecuadorian club's academy, just a few years behind future team-mate Moises Caicedo.

This isn't a case of a desperate club forced to take a chance on an academy talent. Independiente are unbeaten in 15 LigaPro games, sitting top of the table and competing in the Copa Libertadores. Paez has five goals and five assists across 19 appearances, making him a firm fixture of the best side in Ecuador.

It's not hard to see how Chelsea's attention was caught. From a position behind the striker or wide on the right, Paez uses his devilish left foot to bewilder defenders and goalkeepers alike. He has a penchant for long-range goals and the occasional piece of showboating.

Understandably for someone so young, questions have been asked about Paez's maturity - not least when he joined some Ecuador team-mates in a New York club the night before an international game earlier this year.

But the fact Paez is even in the senior international side is a demonstration of his ability. Of his nine caps, seven came from the start.

Paez will expect to be a fixture of Ecuador's XI at Copa America. Will the same be true at Chelsea?

Savio

Nation: Brazil
Age: 20
Position: Winger
Caps: 3 (0 goals)
Club: Girona on loan from Troyes

Savio is the shining example of the City Football Group's multi-club model. A breakout season on loan at Girona in Spain from French side Troyes - both CFG clubs - earning him a reported move to the mother ship, Manchester City.

You can see why City have snapped him when looking at his numbers from the past season. Eleven goals and 10 assists across all competitions is an impressive return for the 20-year-old. His form helped Girona to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

Savio is left-footed and plays on either wing, predominantly featuring off the left for his club this season, though. Michel, the Girona coach, says he is an elite dribbler. "Since the arrival of Vinicius, I haven't seen a one-on-one talent as impressive."

The winger now links up with Vincius this summer at Copa America in an attack bursting with talent. Expect him to be an impact sub for Brazil. He is one to keep an eye on.

Ricardo Pepi

Nation: USA
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Caps: 25 (10 goals)
Club: PSV Eindhoven

Ricardo Pepi has endured a frustrating season at PSV Eindhoven, the clear winners of the Dutch Eredivisie. He's played second fiddle to captain and striker Luuk De Jong, who finished with 29 goals and 15 assists in 34 league games.

Pepi carved out a role for himself as a super sub, averaging more than a goal per 90 across all competitions, starting just two games for PSV across the season. Head coach Peter Bosz is understandably unwilling to rotate with De Jong, the former Newcastle striker, in such fine form.

But the PSV boss has been impressed by the way Pepi makes the most of his limited game-time. "It seems like the fewer minutes you give him, the more he scores." Perhaps painful to hear for Pepi, but an acknowledgement of the threat he possesses.

His agent has spoken out about his disappointment regarding his role, raising the prospect of a potential transfer this summer. Pepi will be hoping he can get more time from the start for the USA. His record at international level is nothing to be sniffed at for someone so young.

Who knows, he could put himself in the shop window with a strong tournament.

Julio Enciso

Nation: Paraguay
Age: 20
Position: Attacking midfielder
Caps: 11 (0 goals)
Club: Brighton

Premier League fans will need no introduction to Julio Enciso, who has made his name at Brighton scoring screamers. Injury has kept him from building on an impressive debut campaign in England, but he is at Copa America with Paraguay.

Roberto De Zerbi, Enciso's head coach at Brighton until recently, believes this tournament will be a good chance for the 20-year-old, who missed six months with a knee injury, to rediscover the form that helped the Seagulls qualify for the Europa League in 2023.

Enciso and Paraguay have their work cut out for them in Group D up against Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica. The Brighton midfielder is yet to score his first goal for Paraguay in 11 attempts, but is sure to get chances to change that in the USA this summer.

We've seen first-hand what Enciso is capable of. There's no doubting he could be a difference-maker for Paraguay if he returns to form.

Jhon Duran

Nation: Colombia
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Caps: 9 (1 goals)
Club: Aston Villa

Jhon Duran has been forced to spend plenty of time on the bench at Aston Villa thanks to Ollie Watkins' form and it's a similar story with Colombia, where eight of his nine caps have come as a substitute.

As a result, it's been more than a year since Duran scored his first international goal but his impressive cameos for Villa have ensured he's retained his place at international level.

The 20-year-old scored eight goals for Unai Emery's side this season, including a late double as they came back to draw against Liverpool in May.

In truth, Duran wasn't prolific with Envigado in Colombia or Chicago Fire in MLS, either. It's his all-round game that managers like. Tall, quick and left-footed, Duran is an awkward proposition for defenders - attributes that have caught Chelsea's attention.

Remarkably, Colombia are unbeaten in 23 games across more than two years. Duran will be hoping to help extend that record all the way to the Copa America final.

Ismael Kone

Nation: Canada
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 19 (2 goals)
Club: Watford

Ismael Kone has enjoyed a breakout season at Watford, featuring in all but four of their Sky Bet Championship games in his first full campaign after signing from Canadian side CF Montreal in December 2022.

The 22-year-old heads to Copa America as a key figure for new Canada head coach Jesse Marsch. He predominantly plays as a defensive midfielder, protecting the back four, but has a threat going forward with late runs into the box and the ability to score from range.

Kone - who turned 22 on June 16 - was born in the Ivory Coast and moved to Canada at the age of seven and made his debut for Les Rouges in March 2022. He played all three group games at the 2022 World Cup and has started both of the pre-Copa America friendlies.

The Watford midfielder was also given the player of the match award for his performance against France earlier this month as Canada held the World Cup finalists to a stalemate.

Expect Kone to be key if Cananda enjoy a successful Copa America.

Valentin Carboni

Nation: Argentina
Age: 19
Position: Attacking midfielder
Caps: 2 (0 goals)
Club: Inter Milan

Valentin Carboni is part of the exciting next generation of Argentinian footballers coming through. He spent the past season on loan at Monza from Inter Milan and could be on the move again this summer.

Carboni was born in Argentina, coming through the youth ranks at Lanus in Buenos Airies, but moved to Italy as a teenager to join Catania when his father landed a job as a coach in the academy.

Inter, who signed Carboni as a teenager, are reportedly attracting interest for the attacking midfielder, but reluctant to relinquish control over his future. He was used off the bench mostly for Monza in Serie A, but managed to average just shy of a goal contribution every other game.

Despite his large frame, the 6ft1in midfielder possesses impressive dribbling ability and can take the ball in high pressure scenarios. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni could call on him at Copa America this summer if he needs someone to change the game.

Carboni has the backing of Argentina's talisman, too. "He has a present and a great future; we have to take advantage of it," said Messi. That endorsement alone should be enough to make you take him seriously.

Yaser Asprilla

Nation: Colombia
Age: 20
Position: Attacking midfield, winger
Caps: 5 (2 goals)
Club: Watford

Yaser Asprilla has a name that brings a lot of expectation, but he has no relation to Newcastle cult hero Faustino. He will be representing Colombia at this summer's Copa America, though.

The left-footed attacking midfielder, who also plays off the right, has had no trouble finding the goal at international level, despite only appearing off the bench five times. He's scored twice for Colombia thus far and is expected to be a useful option off the bench at this summer's tournament.

Asprilla is relatively inexperienced on this stage, yet to appear in a competitive game for Colombia, but there should be no concern about how the 20-year-old will cope having already played more than 120 clubs games, 86 of those coming for Watford, despite not turning 21 until November.

Six goals and seven assists in a Watford team that struggled for consistency in the Championship is a solid return for the Colombia international, who has made a name for himself as a long-range specialist at Vicarage Road.

His 35-yard strike against Norwich in February should give you a taste.