Of the 41 Major League Soccer players representing their countries this summer in the United States, five MLS stars look primed to take center stage at Copa America 2024.
Scattered across the 16 qualified Copa America 2024 teams are players from all over the world, including Europe’s top five leagues and the MLS. Ironically, the USMNT has no starters from Major League Soccer, but Argentina, the reigning Copa America champions, and several other nations have key players that compete weekly in the United States and Canada.
In fact, two of the biggest and most decorated players in the tournament are from the same MLS club. Check out the five Major League Soccer stars that will play a vital role for their countries at Copa America 2024.
1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami/Argentina)
Lionel Messi is the player to watch at Copa America 2024, MLS or not. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will once again captain Argentina as La Albiceleste try to win their record-breaking 16th Copa America title this summer.
After a brief stint at PSG, Messi transferred to Inter Miami back in 2023 and has made headlines throughout the United States ever since. The 2022 World Cup champion helped the Herons claim their first major trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, and already has 25 goals in just 29 appearances.
In a group with Peru, Canada, and Chile, Argentina are the favorites to finish in first place. Fans can expect Messi to be at the heart of the action, just like he has been for the last two decades.
2. Luis Suárez (Inter Miami/Uruguay)
There was some uncertainly surrounding Luis Suárez’s Copa America call-up to Uruguay this summer. Despite Suárez being Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer, Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez had taken over the No. 9 position and kit. Suárez’s experience and raw goalscoring ability, though, could not be ignored.
The striker signed with Inter Miami just six months after Messi, reuniting the two former Barcelona teammates in the MLS. Suárez has found the back of the net 14 times for the Herons so far in his 20 appearances, and is a huge reason why David Beckham’s club sits atop the Eastern Conference.
At age 37, Suárez will likely play his last Copa America for his country. La Celeste have what it takes to finish atop Group C and make a deep run in the competition with players like Suárez, Núñez (who gave the Inter Miami man the No. 9 back), and Fede Valverde.
3. Carlos Gruezo…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at 90min EN…