Argentina keep ascending
It was a year of pure football on the South American continent. Qualifying for FIFA World Cup 26 continued as teams looked to punch their tickets to football's biggest show next year, which will be held in USA, Canada and Mexico.
Meanwhile, a new edition of the Copa America featured six teams from Concacaf, but the result was no different from three years ago as Lionel Messi's Argentina ran out winners and secured back-to-back titles.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. In the Copa Libertadores, two Brazilian sides fought it out to be crowned the new champion in an unforgettable final in Buenos Aires, making Brazilian clubs winners of the last six editions. As a result, four of the six CONMEBOL representatives at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be Brazilian teams, while Argentina will account for the other two places.
The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024 took the continent by storm and highlighted the growth that women's football is experiencing in South America and around the world. In the Women's Olympic Football Tournament at Paris 2024, Marta's Brazil once again fell short in their bid for the elusive gold medal, as the Canarinhas had to settle for silver, losing out narrowly to USA in the final.
World Cup qualifying
Six rounds of South American qualifiers have been played since September, and 2025 will see a further six rounds contested, which will result in six teams qualifying automatically for the World Cup and the seventh-place team earning a spot in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Argentina maintained their place at the top of the table with 25 points – five points clear of second-place Uruguay. Despite being crowned continental champions in the summer, Lionel Scaloni's team lost twice away from home in qualifying: a defeat in a rematch of the Copa America final to Colombia and another to Gustavo Alfaro's Paraguay.
Brazil, meanwhile, although still far from their dazzling best, were still able to secure 11 points from 15 in the calendar year. With some footballing issues still to be resolved, Dorival Junior's side will have to keep improving if they want to have a chance of adding a sixth star to their shirt in 2026.
Standings: 1. Argentina - 25 points (+14) 2. Uruguay - 20 points (+8) 3. Ecuador - 19 points (+7) 4. Colombia - 19 points (+5) 5. Brazil - 18 points (+6) 6. Paraguay - 17 points (+1) 7. Bolivia - 13 points (-14) 8. Venezuela - 12 points (-4) 9. Chile - 9 points (-11) 10. Peru - 7 points (-12)
Argentina defend their Copa America crown
Messi and his Argentinian team-mates put an end to their trophy drought by winning the Copa America in 2021 – and haven't stopped winning since. After winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and completing his historic list of honours, the No.10 undeniably remains a leader on and off the pitch for La Albiceleste, demonstrated once again by their Copa America victory in the USA. With Emiliano Martinez starring in goal, Cristian Romero as a defensive bastion and Lautaro Martinez at his goal-scoring best, Scaloni's side beat Colombia in the final and defended their title.
But it was more than that. The image of Messi sitting on the bench after suffering an ankle injury that forced him to leave the field of play was powerful. On behalf of their captain and idol, Messi's team-mates doubled their efforts to send their national hero back to the top of the podium. Uruguay completed the top three after beating surprise package Canada in a tournament in which James Rodriguez was named best player, Emiliano Martinez best goalkeeper and Lautaro Martinez top scorer with five goals.
Standout players
Lionel Messi (Argentina and Inter Miami)
That's now two decades at the top of international football for the Argentinian talisman. Messi was once again a champion with the national team and kept his side sitting atop the table in qualifying, registering a hat-trick against Bolivia in a display that proved he is still more than capable of producing at the highest level.
He also impressed in Major League Soccer, where only the ankle injury sustained in the final of the Copa America interrupted his Most Valuable Player campaign in which he led Inter Miami to the Supporters' Shield as the best team of the regular season.
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa)
The Argentinian goalkeeper is an undeniable legend for his country and club. He was instrumental in helping Argentina win their second consecutive Copa America and establishing them at the top of the qualifying table. He helped Aston Villa qualify for the UEFA Champions League, where he is excelling and he has cemented place as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Martinez capped his superb 2024 by winning The Best Men's Goalkeeper Award.
Vinicius Junior (Brazil and Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr was crowned The Best FIFA Men's Player for a sensational 2024. The Brazilian played a key role for Real Madrid in a year in which they reigned supreme both in Spain and Europe. His goals and clutch moments made the difference time and time again for Carlo Ancelotti's side. His personal highlights included a goal in Real Madrid's Champions League final win over German side Borussia Dortmund and a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina and Inter Milan)
The Argentinian striker had a great season for both club and country. He was the top scorer at the Copa America 2024, scoring the winning goal in the final against Colombia in added extra time. Martinez also starred at club level with Inter Milan, helping the Nerazzurri win Serie A.
Luiz Henrique (Brazil and Botafogo)
Many players could be singled out for their goal scoring prowess on the South American continent. Miguel Terceros, the top scorer in the 2024 qualifiers, was instrumental in resurrecting Bolivia's qualification hopes. Antonio Sanabria scored key goals for a revitalised Paraguay under Alfaro. But it was Botafogo's Luiz Henrique, who earned a call-up to the Brazil national team, who capped off a sublime year by being awarded the best player of the Copa Libertadores.
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