The long club football season has just finished, but there is no reason for football fans to despair as the Copa America Centenario is just days away. There are some world class superstars taking part in the marquee event such as Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and Luis Suarez. However, there are also some incredible players missing out on the action due to various reasons.
Be it their participation in the Olympics or just not being picked for various reasons, these players will not be representing their country at the Copa America. We take a look at 5 top players who will miss out on the 2016 Copa America
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Note: Players missing out due to injury have not been considered
#5 Marcelo
3 time La Liga winner, 2 time Champions League winner, and one of the best left-backs in the world, Marcelo still failed to find a spot in the Brazil Copa squad. The Brazilian has been one of the most consistent left-backs in the world but Dunga has left him out of the squad, seeking to provide a change in the defensive set-up of the Selecao.
At 28, Marcelo is at the peak of his career and he could have contributed a lot to the national team if he had made the cut. A Brazilian international since 2006, Marcelo’s absence could be keenly felt by the Selecao although they have an able replacement in Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis.
The Brazilian’s attacking instincts will be hugely missed by the Brazilian national squad.
#4 Carlos Tevez
One of the most popular strikers in his home country Argentina, Carlos Tevez will not be making the trip to USA to represent his nation in the Copa America Centenario. Argentina are blessed with a number of attacking options and the fact that he moved to Boca Juniors from Juventus counted against the former Manchester City frontman.
Tevez is 32 years old and this snub might indicate the end of his long international career for Argentina. The Boca Juniors striker has made 76 international appearances for the Albiceleste and his discipline, heart, dedication, determination and undoubted abilities will definitely be missed by Tata Martino.
One of the main reason for Tevez’s exclusion has been the abundance of talent in the forward position for Argentina with many talented forwards like Aguero, Lamela and Higuain ready to fill the void left by Tevez’s absence.
#3 Thiago Silva
One of the best centre-backs in the world, Thiago Silva has been out of Dunga’s plans ever since he took over. The centre-back has put in solid performances for his club side Paris Saint-Germain and he has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in the past few seasons.
Silva is regarded as one of the fastest defenders in the game and he is gifted with good aerial ability. The Paris Saint-Germain captain is also blessed with amazing positioning skills and tactical intelligence making him a nightmare for any forward.
Hailed as the best of the new breed of defenders — composed in possession, able to create chances for his team from the back — Silva is a defender who is universally praised, being voted as one of the top two central defenders in Europe for three consecutive years.
The Brazilian is definitely unlucky to not make it to the Brazilian Copa squad.
#2 Paulo Dybala
Having scored 17 goals in his debut season for Juventus, Paulo Dybala has been in scintillating form for Juventus. The Argentine arrived on a five-year deal for a fee of €32 million from Palermo and he has immediately become the star of the Juventus team.
A quick, creative, and agile player, with good technical ability, Dybala is known for his dribbling skills and close control in limited spaces. The Argentine is capable both of creating chances for team-mates, as well as scoring goals himself, due to his vision and ability to play off of other players, as well as his powerful, and accurate ball striking ability.
Dybala initially had a tough start at Juventus but settled in very quickly making crucial contributions in decisive games. Now, Dybala has become the single most important player for the Serie A giants. Many have already compared him to Lionel Messi and Dybala will be hoping to win a Olympic medal just like his illustrious countryman.
#1 Neymar
The biggest superstar missing out from the Copa America tournament is undoubtedly Barcelona superstar Neymar. The Brazilian was forced by his club to chosse between the Copa and the Olympics and Neymar decided to take part in the Olympics which will be held in his home country.
Neymar has already won almost all the top club honours including the Champions League, La Liga, Copa Del Rey and the Club World Cup. Having formed an amazing partnership with his Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, it would have been interesting to watch how those three would have fared individually for Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil respectively.
Neymar will be hoping that his choice to miss the Copa Centenario will not cost his beloved Brazil the title.
