M?ximo Perrone is set to star at the U20 South American Championship, and potentially soon for Manchester City. EPA/Raul Martinez
After its cancellation in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Under-20 South American Championship returns on Thursday with Colombia‘s Bogot? and Cali serving as host cities. Originated in 1995, this tournament essentially opens the international football calendar and also serves as qualification for this year’s U20 men’s World Cup, which will be held in May and June in Indonesia. The top three will also take part in this year’s Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. In addition, because the Summer Olympics allow for only three players to be over the age of 23 in each squad, this tournament acts as a recruitment tool for Paris 2024.
The format is quite unique. There are only two groups of five teams playing in a round-robin format. The top three from each group advance to a final group of six, and in that final phase, they’ll play each other once. The winner is determined by most points as there is no knockout format, final or third-place fixture at any stage.
There are plenty of storylines worth your time in this year’s competition. Ecuador, the defending champions, hope to repeat once again, but many teams have had time to develop since La Tri won in 2019, which was their first ever title. It could be fair to say that Brazil, for example, are aching for this trophy as it’s been 12 years since the most successful nation in this competition (11 titles) were crowned champions.
Then there’s the talented Argentina, who will use all the motivation from the senior team’s historic win in Qatar to secure victory for the first time since 2015. This Albiceleste squad will be the first to officially wear the shirt with three stars. They may not have coach Lionel Scaloni, but they will be led by a former player who knows exactly how to compete at the highest level: Javier Mascherano. Uruguay are always strong contenders, and with a gutsy team full of talented individuals who play in very big clubs, this could be a good year for them.
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Don’t discount hosts Colombia, though: they’re going through a mini-revolution within the federation after their senior team failed to qualify for the World Cup. There is a lot of talent here, and they’re ready to win on home soil and for the first time in a decade.
This competition also serves as a proverbial goldmine for scouts from all over the globe. It can serve as a life-changing opportunity for players as well as South American clubs that can profit from European interest. There will be plenty of European clubs paying attention to this competition.
There will be no Endrick, however. The Brazilian prodigy — who will play for Real Madrid next year — was originally selected when the squad was released, but Palmeiras requested the federation remove him so he could be featured in the Paulista Championship. Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho also won’t feature for Argentina either, as the Red Devils opted for him to stay with the club.
Then there’s 19-year-old Colombian Jhon Dur?n, who recently made his move to Aston Villa from Chicago Fire FC for $18 million plus incentives. At the time of writing, Dur?n has left the Colombian setup for Birmingham to finalize his medical, contract and work permit. Colombia are hopeful he will return to the tournament, but that will depend on the Premier League club. His compatriot, Juan David “Juanda” Fuentes — who plays for Barcelona B — will surely carry the load upfront until then.
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Another star who is also heading to the Premier League, but is playing in the tournament (unlike Dur?n,) is 18-year-old Brazilian Andrey Santos. Chelsea recently recruited the Vasco da Gama midfielder and will welcome him back after the competition.
As a Peruvian, it’s my obligation — otherwise I will be disowned by my family — to also note Mat?as Lazo, a versatile defender from Melgar. He is a strong leader who will be tested immediately as Per? face Brazil in the opener.
Still, aside from these names, there is plenty of largely unrecognized talent in the tournament. Keep an eye on these five players: don’t say you weren’t warned.
The only member of the Ecuador squad who plays in Europe, this talented 19-year-old is at Ajax and representing their reserves team on loan, with an option to make the move permanent, from Independiente Del Valle, the Ecuadorian powerhouse that gave us the likes of Mois?s Caicedo and Gonzalo Plata. Delgado, nephew of Agust?n “T?n” Delgado (former all-time leading scorer for the national team before Enner Valencia took over) is a strong box-to-box midfielder who enjoys the simple art of quick passing, strong tackling and generating goals whenever possible. He is a humble, smart young man who moved to the Netherlands at 18, without knowing a word of Dutch or English, but he has acclimated well in one of the best academies in the world.
“I did everything possible to be here,” Delgado said to Diario Expreso. “I wanted to be here and support the team with the short experience I have had abroad.”
Don’t let his humility fool you. This young man is a potent threat and is ready to help Ecuador defend their title.
Patrickson Delgado is already in Europe shining for Jong Ajax, ready to make his mark on the U20 South American Championship. Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images