Ranking Golden Boot contenders at Copa America 2024, including Vinicius Jr, Martinez, Messi & Pulisic.
Copa America 2024 is nearly here, and the anticipation is building. Teams have nearly wrapped up all their pre-tournament international friendlies and are turning focus to the marquee event of the summer, which kicks off June 20 in the United States.
The goal of every team is to find themselves on the podium, holding the Copa America trophy. To do so, they'll need to score goals – and likely loads of them.
Who can lead that charge? Who will step up to be the most reliable and clinical finisher for each nation?
GOAL takes a look at some of the finest strikers competing in this summer's tournament…
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1Lionel Messi | Argentina
Is this Messi's last dance with the national team? His final Copa America? We truly don't know.
However, what we do know, is that Messi is certain to contend for the Golden Boot at Copa America. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been on fire at the club level, with 12 goals and 12 assistsfor Inter Miami this season.
The 36-year-old racked up seven total goals in Qatar in 2022, leading La Albiceleste to a FIFA World Cup title, while taking second place in the race for the Golden Boot then.
Whether this is his final Copa or not, you can bet he's going to make noise.
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2Vinicius Jr | Brazil
It's time for the Real Madrid star to step up on the international stage, especially without a proven striker to play up top for the Selecao. Centrally, they're going to rely un an unproven Evanilson, a young Endrick or an out-of-position Rodrygo.
For Vini, it's time to take his throne as the face of the Selecao, and start consistently bagging goals in the place of Neymar at their center-forward.
The frontrunner for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, the winger needs this tournament to further his candidacy – and the best way to do that is to score goals. If he can find any rhythm, there's no stopping him.
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3Darwin Nunez | Uruguay
Everyone and their extended family is excited to watch Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay this summer. A system made for a target man striker like Nunez, La Celeste should be a formidable opponents for all teams.
The Liverpool striker has an eye for the net, or at least firing the ball towards it, and more often than not that results in a goal. Although he doesn't have a terrific scoring streak on the international stage, he should be one of the main-men to watch when it comes to strikers.
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4Julian Alvarez | Argentina
The biggest question mark of Copa America 2024: Who starts at striker for Argentina?
Alvarez has the talent to outscore every other attacker, double their count, if he's given the opportunity. He's stood in the shadow of Erling Haaland at the club level and Lautaro Martinez at the country level for what feels like too long.
The 24-year-old has 11goals in 36 Premier League appearances for the Cityzens this season, and for his national team, has seven in 29 total appearances.
If Lionel Scaloni is willing to hand him the reigns this summer, there's no telling what La Albiceleste could do.