Copa America is without doubt one of the most demanding cup competitions on the planet, each bodily and psychologically. It begins with psychological warfare in press conferences and extends properly into the pitch, with contestants doing every part of their energy to unsettle opponents. Moreover, there may be the load of expectations, with each fan asking their nation’s heroes to ship the products on the grandest continental stage.
Youthful gamers are inclined to cherish these competitions, as they’ve way more left to show. Many older gamers, in the meantime, take a backseat, retiring from worldwide responsibility and channeling their vitality towards membership soccer. Fortunately for us followers, there are exceptions — veterans who’re nonetheless up for a combat even within the twilight years of their careers.
Listed here are 5 such warriors who’ve turned up for his or her nations in Copa America 2024:
Information: The dataset right here from Transfermarkt shows the gamers’ ages of their final match of the competitors.
#5 Lionel Messi (Argentina): 37 years 01 days
Simply the star attraction of Copa America 2024, Argentina chief and legend Lionel Messi was 37 years and 01 days outdated when he took to the sphere within the 1-0 win over Chile on June 25. The Inter Miami star performed a wonderful recreation, finishing probably the most dribbles (7), creating probably the most probabilities (5), and hitting the woodwork as soon as. Sadly, Messi was not match to characteristic in Argentina’s ultimate Group A recreation in opposition to Peru on June 29. However La Albiceleste managed to maintain up the great work, bagging a thumping 2-0 win courtesy of a brace from Lautaro Martinez.
Messi’s heroics for Argentina don’t want rehashing. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has guided his nation to the Copa America in addition to the FIFA World Cup, ending because the Participant of the Event on each events. He has donned the nationwide jersey in 184 matches, scoring 108 instances and offering 58 assists. The maverick has but to attain in Copa America 2024, however we anticipate it to vary when Argentina lock horns with Ecuador within the quarter-finals on Thursday night time (July 4).
#4 Alexander Dominguez (Ecuador): 37 years 25 days
Ecuador’s first-choice goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez was 37 years and 25 days outdated when he took to the sphere within the goalless draw with Mexico on June 30. Regardless of being in his twilight years, he has been in stellar kind in Copa America 2024, making 9 saves, delivering 13 correct lengthy balls, retaining one clear sheet, and conceding three objectives in three video games. Had it not been for his reflexes and management, Ecuador wouldn’t have certified for the quarter-finals of this extremely aggressive Copa America 2024.
Dominguez, who made his debut for Ecuador on March 26, 2011, has performed 77 worldwide matches, retaining 31 clear sheets and conceding 76 objectives.
#3 Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 37 years 05 months 07 days
One in all Lionel Messi’s closest associates and a frontrunner of Argentine’s fiercest rivals in Copa America, Uruguay star Luis Suarez was 37 years, 05 months, and 07 days when he took to the sphere for the Group C conflict in opposition to the USA on July 1. The Inter Miami ace, who has misplaced his place to in-form striker Darwin Nunez, got here off the bench within the 89th minute for a short cameo.
It’s no shock to see Suarez warming the Uruguayan bench in Copa America 2024, as his glory days are firmly behind him. Nonetheless, when push involves shove, the veteran marksman can nonetheless pop up with a purpose or two, as he has proven within the Main League Soccer (MLS). It will likely be fascinating to see if he will get the prospect when Uruguay meet Brazil within the quarter-finals this weekend.
Suarez has performed 140 video games for Uruguay in his illustrious profession, scoring 68 instances. He guided his nation to the Copa America in 2011, chipping in with 4 objectives and two assists in six matches.
#2 Paolo Guerrero (Peru): 40 years 05 months 28 days
In Peru’s ultimate Group A recreation, they took on the mighty Argentina. They may not put up a lot of a combat, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. But it surely was a milestone recreation for center-forward Paulo Guerrero, who grew to become the oldest outfield participant to play in Copa America 2024.
Aged 40 years, 05 months, and 28 days, Guerrero partnered with 30-year-old Edison Flores in assault. The veteran tried to make issues occur within the ultimate third however Argentine defenders lined him properly sufficient, prompting Peru coach Jorge Fossati to take him off within the 57th minute.
Guerrero has performed 123 video games for Peru in his profession, scoring 40 objectives and offering 14 assists.
#1 Claudio Bravo (Chile): 41 years 02 months 12 days
Comfortably the oldest participant to play in Copa America 2024, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was 41 years, 02 months, and 12 days outdated when he represented his nation of their Group A gathering with Argentina on June 25. The previous Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper carried out splendidly within the match, making a complete of eight saves. Sadly, he couldn’t end with a clear sheet, as Lautaro Martinez’s strike escaped his grasp within the 88th minute.
Bravo, who has performed 150 video games for Chile, has stored 58 clear sheets, successful the Copa America twice.
