Five Players That Cover Copa América’s Personality Spectrum

By Stefan Bienkowski, writing from Glasgow

Arturo Vidal (Chile)

Considered by many, as the sole reason for Leverkusen’s fantastic second place finish in the Bundesliga this season. The Box-to-Box midfielder contributed 10 goals and 12 assists for Werkself and will be well aware that his ambition and talent may have outgrown the Rhine side by the end of the summer. Constantly linked to Bayern Munich (often by himself) and other top European sides – the midfielder will look to the Copa America as an opportunity to prove he can perform on the most important stage.

The Chilean was in excellent form for his country in last seasons World Cup, raising a few eyebrows, and setting an example to himself for the season he would then have with Leverkusen. 

The tenacious midfielder will have a determination to not only do well for his country, but to put himself firmly in the shopping window of Europe’s elite during this summer’s competition. Expect a drive and resolve from the Chilean handy man as he looks to take the correct steps in moving up his game.

Neymar (Brazil)

Unfortunately in this sport, fantastic skill and talent can often lead to an overstated ego. Of course, an athletes’ confidence is often his strongest weapon. It forms a barrier between the player’s ability and self-confidence to permit a care-free mind set and allows the player to perform to the best of his ability - In Neymar’s case; it’s gone a little too far.

This of course, is not without reason. The young striker has been in fantastic form for Santos over the past 18 months and is considered by many as the future of Brazilian football. The comparisons between the young Santos striker and the great Pele seem to never cease from the media and has reached a point where the young man is beginning to believe his own hype.

Most fans will immediately remember the incident in the international friendly with Scotland, were Neymar misconstrued opposition fans whistling and jeering as racist taunts towards him, as an unnecessary confrontation that forever labelled the player as an egotistical young man who considered himself as centre of any attention. There is no denying the confidence the young man possesses – it bounds out of him whenever he walks on to the pitch.

Couple this with the expectations of the most driven football nation on the planet, expecting success in its own back garden and you have the delicate situation of a young man’s personality bombarded with far too much outside influence. The Copa America will be a good test ground for the young Brazilian as he takes his first steps, in yellow and blue, under the heavy shadow of a nation’s expectation. The football scores Brazil puts up will be nearly as important as how their individuals shine.

Javier Hernández (Mexico)

Few would argue that ever has there been a greater début season than that of Mexican internationalist, Chicharito for Manchester United.  11 months ago, Javier Hernandez was playing football for Mexcian side, C.D. Guadalajara in the Mexican Premier Division. Fast forward forty five games and twenty goals later and the little pea from Guadalajara is playing in the Champions League final against one of the greatest club sides of all time. Hernandez’s rise to the top of World Football has been a non stop journey leaving little room for rest or recognition to acknowledge experience learnt and a greater understanding of the significance of his new found reputation. In last year’s World Cup, Javier’s role for Mexico was that of the vibrant new protégée, with the wind in his sails and little need or want of expectation to anchor his confidence. 

It epitomized his entire game – the silent poacher who worked best when nobody paid him any attention or respect. This year, he returns to Mexico as a star and the key player to José Manuel de la Torre’s plans with an entirely different role to play for his nation’s hopes in this summer’s competition. The Copa America will be the first time in Hernandez’s career where the weight of expectation is solely placed on him to lead the team and deliver. Whether that’s obtainable for the young Manchester United forward will be dependent on how much the player has grown, and how strong his desire to lead the team and win. It’ll be an interesting competition to see just how he performs in his new role for Mexico.

Robinho (Brazil)

A player who once found himself in a similar situation to Neymar - Robinho has taken a little longer to reach the heights of expectation bestowed upon him. Since his disappointing stints at Real Madrid and Manchester City - were the Brazilian would often let his personality get in the way of progress- Robinho has moved on and steadily risen to the top of his game, first at Santos, and now at Milan. Santos offered the player’s confidence a sanctuary as he eased himself back in to the old style of dominating opposition defences with the full support of his team mates - something that had diminished season after season at Madird.

At Milan, Robinho would settle in as an inside forward to an attacking front line, envied across Europe. He was no longer a bit part Galactico, or a trophy player to an applauding Manchester crowd, he was a star player for Milan and the fans loved him for it.  15 goals in his first full season in Italy would suggest a player who finally feels at home and comfortable enough to express himself with a dedication to his profession that has been seldom seen in his career so far. 

The World Cup staged an unusual transition in Brazilian football as the country came to terms with the disappointment in the current generation of senior players and looked to start afresh. This also left players such as Robinho and Elano in a strange position of being too young to be considered as part of the failed generation, yet too old to be considered new. Mano Menezes has decided to stick with him and as a result, this years Copa America will have Robinho as a senior member of the side (2^nd oldest in front the back four) for the first time and a burden of expectation to set an example for the next generation of players coming through the squad. This summer’s tournament will be a true test of whether this new professional Robinho is here to stay.

Anderson (Brazil)

Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira is perhaps the most aggravating player in the English Premier League.  To any onlooker, it would seem his inability to maintain any type of form is only bested by his apparent contentment with sitting on the Manchester United substitute bench without even a glimpse of drive or personal determination. In a recent interview for Brazilian magazine, Globo, Brazilian defender Fabio Da Silva declared Anderson’s personality was passive to say the least, stating;

“He’s so relaxed, he doesn’t care about anything! He doesn’t even sort his hair out properly!”

This year’s Copa America may well prove to be the final chance for Anderson to stake a claim to the midfield of A Seleção. With emerging talents in Sandro, Ramires and particularly Sao Paulo’s Lucas all looking to make the position their own, Anderson may have to give up his relaxed attitude to the sport for the sake of his future.

Are there any personalities that stick out to you taking part in next month’s Copa América?