- The CONMEBOL U-20 began on January 23.
- Big names from the most recent CONMEBOL Copa América™ once played in the U-20 tournament.
The world’s oldest national team tournament held its 48th edition in 2024, as 16 teams competed for glory in the United States. All the CONMEBOL teams that participated in the competition had at least one player who previously played in a CONMEBOL U-20 tournament.
Julián Álvarez (Argentina)
The striker is a two-time CONMEBOL Copa América™ champion, having won the tournament in 2021 and 2024 (scoring two goals in the latter). Before making it to the senior national team, “La Araña” competed in the 2019 CONMEBOL U-20 tournament.
That year, Argentina—coached by Fernando Batista, now the head coach of Venezuela—finished as runners-up, securing spots in both the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland and the Pan American Games in Lima. Julián scored one goal.
Rodrygo (Brazil)
The Real Madrid forward played all four matches for the Verdeamarela during the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™.
He also featured in the 2019 CONMEBOL U-20, where Brazil finished fifth, with Rodrygo scoring two goals.
Ramiro Vaca (Bolivia)
The talented Bolivian midfielder also participated in the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™, playing all three matches for La Verde. In the 2019 CONMEBOL U-20, he scored one goal, though Bolivia was eliminated in the Group Stage.
Rodrigo Echeverría (Chile)
The 29-year-old midfielder played all three matches for La Roja in the most recent edition of the world’s oldest national team tournament.
Ten years earlier, in 2015, he represented Chile in the CONMEBOL U-20, scoring two goals despite his team being eliminated in the Group Stage.
Luis Díaz (Colombia)
The Liverpool forward, top scorer of the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa América™, was instrumental in Colombia’s 2024 runner-up campaign. He started all six matches, scoring two goals.
In 2017, Díaz played in the CONMEBOL U-20, where Colombia reached the Hexagonal Final and finished in sixth place.
Jordy Caicedo (Ecuador)
The 27-year-old striker came off the bench in three matches for El Tri during the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024™.
In 2017, he was pivotal in Ecuador’s U-20 campaign, scoring three goals to help his team secure second place and qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
Mathías Villasanti (Paraguay)
The midfielder was a starter in all three matches for La Albirroja in the latest CONMEBOL Copa América™.
Villasanti also played in the 2017 CONMEBOL U-20, though Paraguay failed to advance to the tournament's Final Stage.
Bryan Reyna (Peru)
The 26-year-old forward played two matches for La Blanquirroja in the 2024 tournament held in the United States.
Similarly, Reyna participated in the 2017 CONMEBOL U-20, where Peru was eliminated in the Group Stage.
Darwin Núñez (Uruguay)
The Liverpool striker played every match for La Celeste in the CONMEBOL Copa América™, scoring two goals en route to their third-place finish.
In 2019, Núñez competed in the CONMEBOL U-20, where Uruguay claimed third place, earning qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Pan American Games.
Yeferson Soteldo (Venezuela)
The elusive midfielder was a key player in Venezuela’s historic 2024 campaign in the United States, where La Vinotinto won all their Group Stage matches and reached the Quarterfinals.
In 2017, Soteldo played in the CONMEBOL U-20, scoring three crucial goals to secure Venezuela’s third-place finish and qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
