In brief
With players like Federico Valverde and Rodrygo, South America is experiencing a golden age of potential.
Several of the greatest names on the continent made appearances at the Copa America in 2024.
In 2024, Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid is considered the best South American football player.
With their flair, fervour, and toughness, South American football players frequently rule the leagues they play in. Numerous players from the continent, like Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaka, to mention a few, have achieved legendary status in football.
On the continent, the sport is more than that. It is a religion, as many will tell you. Due in part to their desire to express themselves via their art form, South American players are among the most engaging and pleasurable. GIVEMESPORT’s ranking of the top 15 South American musicians in the world today honours the current generation of these performers.
Factors that rank
Important metrics (clean sheets, assists, and goals)
Impact on the nation and club
The league’s difficulty and longevity
2024’s Top 15 South American Players
Rank
Name
Club
Nation
1.
Junior Vinicius
Real Madrid
Brazil
2.
Martinez, Lautaro
Milan Inter
Argentina
3.
Lionel Messi
Miami Inter
Argentina
4.
Valverde Federico
Real Madrid
Uruguay
5.
Rodrygo
Real Madrid
Brazil
6.
Magalhaes, Gabriel
The Arsenal
Brazil
7.
Martinez, Emiliano
Villa Aston
Argentina
8.
Becker, Alisson
Liverpool
Brazil
9.
Diaz Luis
Liverpool
Colombia
10.
Raphinha
Barcelona
Brazil
11.
Allister, Alexis Mac
Liverpool
Argentina
12.
Alvarez Julian
Real Madrid
Argentina
13.
Ederson
City of Manchester
Brazil
14.
Guimaraes Bruno
Newcastle United
Brazil
15.
Cunha, Matheus
Wolves
Brazil
15Matheus Cunha
Wolves & Brazil
Wolves has had a dismal start to the 2024–25 season; by Christmas, the Black Country team was in the relegation zone. But if anyone can maintain a positive attitude, it’s frontman Matheus Cunha. Despite their dismal play, the former Atletico Madrid player has been a prolific goal scorer at Molineux.
In the foreseeable future, the Brazilian appears headed for greater and better things, particularly if Wolves are demoted. Even if he still has ties to teams like Manchester United, he can enter 2025 knowing that he is at least one of the best on his continent, no matter what the future brings.
14Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle United & Brazil
When relegation-threatened Newcastle United defeated Arsenal for the signing of Bruno Guimaraes, many were taken aback. Given the Brazilian’s significance to the team, the Magpies are grateful that he chose to transfer to Tyneside. The midfield player was essential to Newcastle’s 2022–2023 Champions League run, and the team’s performance demonstrated how important he was to the team without him. Newcastle did not lost a Premier League match when Bruno started that season, yet they only managed one victory without him.
Guimaraes has continued to make an impression for both club and country, and he is one of the names being mentioned to replace the injured Rodri at Manchester City, even though his influence isn’t nearly the same now since Newcastle has undoubtedly stalled recently.
13Ederson
Manchester City & Brazil
Ederson, who is already regarded as one of the greatest Brazilians to have ever played in the Premier League, would probably be higher on our list if Manchester City weren’t having such a difficult time right now. The sweeper-keeper has transformed the requirements for playing at the highest level, but it seems that his attention has shifted ever since Saudi Arabia expressed interest.
Because of this, American Stefan Ortega has occasionally taken the number 31 spot in important Premier League and European matches. He still manages to place just outside of the top 10, though, since he is still capable of the remarkable.
12Julian Alvarez
Atletico Madrid & Argentina
During the 2023–24 season, Julian Alvarez was in outstanding form with Manchester City, contributing 32 goals in 60 games across all competitions. The Argentina international finished the season with some outstanding stats, surpassing the 2022–2023 season’s total of 22 goal contributions.
He could easily be in the top 10 with that kind of form, but his numbers haven’t been the same since moving to Atletico Madrid for large money. The former River Plate star has only scored five goals in the league in 18 games, but he has scored four goals in six in the Champions League. Alvarez, who played a key role in his nation’s 2022 World Cup victory, is still a hidden gem.
11Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool & Argentina
With Arne Slot in charge, Liverpool is currently witnessing the best of Alexis Mac Allister following a period of adjustment at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp. In his debut season on Merseyside, the Argentine had to play a more conservative role despite having previously played for Brighton and his country on their way to World Cup triumph.
The 26-year-old now has greater leeway to display his attacking flair and inventiveness under his new manager’s system, where players like Ryan Gravenberch serve as midfield anchors. As the go-between for defence and Liverpool’s deadly attack, this has resulted in more outstanding performances from the midfielder.
10Raphinha
Barcelona & Brazil
At the beginning of 2024, not many Barcelona supporters would have supported this decision, but by the conclusion, Raphinha has unquestionably earned his place among the best 10. The winger has blossomed in the 2024–25 season, becoming as one of Los Cules’ most effective players in a strong front three that also includes Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
If there is one thing Hansi Flick has done well at Camp Nou since coming, it is whatever he has taught the former Leeds United player, since Raphinha now has a chance to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
9Luis Diaz
Liverpool & Colombia
Another example of how a new management may change a winger. Although Luis Diaz has always had the ability to perform well at Liverpool, the former Porto wizard has lacked consistency ever since coming to Anfield. Under Arne Slot, though, everything seemed to have changed.
In addition to seeing a sharp increase in value due to his recent performance, the 27-year-old is now filling the vacuum left by Sadio Mane, for whom he was brought in nearly three years ago. If Liverpool wins the Premier League, which appears to be within their grasp, Diaz will have been instrumental in helping them get there.
8Alisson Becker
Liverpool & Brazil
Alisson is the best goalie in English football when healthy. Nobody embodies all the essential components to create the perfect model for a goalkeeper like the Liverpool number one, even though Ederson might be better with the ball at his feet and players like David Raya might be more entertaining goalkeepers.
Since moving to Anfield, the former Roma player has been imposing; his injury record is the only thing that has failed him down in both his career and on this list. Given the amount of strain he is placing on his body from playing so many games, it may not come as a surprise that he has already missed a significant portion of the 2024–25 season.
7Emiliano Martinez
Aston Villa & Argentina
As soon as we declare Alisson to be the Premier League’s greatest goalie, we choose another of the best players in the league to be just above him. It is crucial to note, nevertheless, that this ranking is predicated on their most recent performance. Emiliano Martinez has been able to overtake the Liverpool player in this situation because of how long he has been out of action.
The Argentine deserves praise for his outstanding play since the year 2000. He has been essential to Aston Villa’s recent comeback and has saved his nation on numerous occasions while en way to international triumph. Right now, the two-time Kopa Trophy champion is in the best form of his life and cannot be denied.
6Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal & Brazil
At the core of Arsenal’s defensive, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have formed a strong relationship. In recent years, the two have been essential to the team’s title bid. The fact that Saliba has contributed to several clean sheets alongside the tall Brazilian supports that theory.
Gabriel has also contributed significantly to the team’s recent set-piece success at the other end of the pitch. The Gunners appear far less dangerous from the air when he is not available. However, in the midst of the commotion, few have been able to stop him from hammering the ball home when he is in and around the penalty area.
5Rodrygo
Real Madrid & Brazil
During the 2023–2024 season, another Real Madrid player made a significant impression. In 53 club appearances, Rodrygo scored 18 goals and contributed 26 more.
The forward scored in every competition the team participated in, including the 2023–24 Champions League, when he helped the team win with five goals and two assists. Unfortunately, Carlo Ancelotti has made him somewhat of a scapegoat in an attempt to create place for Kylian Mbappe, the newest Galactico. The winger is eager to continue at the Bernabeu and rarely fails to impress when given the chance, even though his significance has somewhat diminished as a result.
4Federico Valverde
Real Madrid & Uruguay
Real Madrid’s well-oiled system now relies heavily on Federico Valverde. Carlo Ancelotti’s team maintains possession of the ball thanks to an outstanding 91% pass success rate, which also helps with crucial assists. Valverde finished the 2023–24 season with seven assists. The fact that Real Madrid announced the midfielder has extended his contract until 2029 further demonstrated how important he is to the team.
Valverde is undoubtedly one of the greatest in his position and has demonstrated remarkable versatility by being able to control the pace and score the most absurd goals. Over the next years, Los Blancos’ reliance on the Uruguayan will only increase due to the retirement of Toni Kroos and the impending arrival of Luka Modric.
3Lionel Messi
Inter Miami & Barcelona
Writing a list based on player quality and including Lionel Messi but not at the top is difficult to envision. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner simply needs to face the fact that, as they say, father time catches up with everyone. With the exception of the MLS, which he still struggles with, Messi has accomplished nearly everything.
Nevertheless, he has dominated both Europe and international football, and he is still making an impression and working his magic here in the United States. It’s time to appreciate the 37-year-old’s grandeur while it lasts because he won’t be appearing on our fields and TV screens for very long.
2Lautaro Martinez
Inter Milan & Argentina
After guiding Inter Milan back to the top of Italian football, Lautaro Martinez is ranked second on the list. In 57 games for the Serie A team, the Argentina international concluded the 2022–2023 season with 39 goal contributions. In the 2023–2024 season, he maintained his excellent play with 28 goal contributions for Inter. With 23 goals in the league alone, he surpassed players like Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen to become the league’s top scorer.
He signed a new contract extension to continue at the San Siro until at least 2029 as a way to celebrate this. Despite his somewhat sluggish start to the season—he has only managed five goals in 14 Serie A games—his quality is unaffected as he narrowly loses out on first place.
1Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid & Brazil
With 25 goals and 12 assists in the 2023–2024 season, Vinicius Junior once again demonstrated why he is a top player, helping Real Madrid win both the La Liga and the Champions League.
The fact that he painfully lost out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or left him feeling disappointed, but he swore to return stronger and is still putting up amazing stats in his pursuit of the renowned prize. Madrid has struggled to adapt to life with Mbappe, but their Brazilian talisman is still the dependable leader at the top.
xz
