Colombia's all-time top scorers at CONMEBOL Copa América™

Top scorer at the 2021 edition, Luis Díaz, has been increasing his numbers at the oldest national team tournament in the world

July 14, 2024
CONMEBOL Copa América™
  • Arnoldo Iguarán leads Colombia's record scoring list with 10 goals in the tournament; He was top scorer at the 1987 edition.
  • Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez are active players who still can move up in the rankings.



CONMEBOL Copa América™, the oldest national team tournament in the world, has been the setting of memorable moments and extraordinary plays for more than a century. Colombia, with its unique blend of talent and passion, has been a notable participant in this vibrant landscape. Several Colombian players have made their mark by demonstrating skill, precision and an incredible ability to score goals.


Since the Colombian national team's debut in the competition, many Colombian strikers and midfielders have shone, winning the admiration of fans across the continent and beyond. Their achievements in the various editions of the tournament helped build Los Cafeteros’ reputation as one of the forces of South American football.


Considering only the top 5 of Colombia's top scorers in the tournament, five players open the list, each with four goals scored in their participation at CONMEBOL Copa América™: Juan Ernesto Díaz, one of the highlights of the first important result of the team of the tournament, in 1975; Carlos Arango, a member of the team's first participations in this competition; Freddy Rincón and Antony de Ávila, players who created a golden period for the national team in the 1990s.


In fourth is Delio Gamboa, the author of 5 goals scored in the 1957 and 1963 editions, who was recently surpassed by one of the major players of Colombian football today. Luis Díaz was joint top scorer of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021™ with four goals, alongside Lionel Messi, and intends to continue climbing the rankings of historic Colombians. As is the case of the legendary Victor Aristizábal, top scorer (and of the tournament) in winning the unprecedented title in 2001.


At the top is Arnoldo Iguarán, with 10 goals scored in all his appearances at the oldest national team tournament in the world. A member of the Colombian national team that won Third Place in 1987, he has held the title of top scorer of La Tricolor since the following edition (1989) when he surpassed the mark until then belonging to Delio Gamboa. His feat, it seems, is within the reach of Luis Díaz or the next great Colombian goalscorer.


Here is Colombia’s historical list of scorers in the tournament:




Colombia na CONMEBOL Copa América™: Top 5 scorers




1st - Arnoldo Iguarán: 10 goals in 19 matches


Arnoldo Iguarán, Colombia
  • 1979: 1 goal
  • 1987: 4 goals (top scorer of the edition)
  • 1989: 3 goals
  • 1991: 2 goals



2º - Victor Aristizábal: 8 goals in 24 matches


Victor Aristizabal, Colombia
  • 1993: 1 goal
  • 1997: 1 goal
  • 2001: 6 goals (top scorer of the edition)



3º - Luis Díaz: 6 goals in 13 matches


Luis Diaz, Colombia vs Panama



4º - Delio Gamboa: 5 goals in 12 matches


  • 1957: 3 goals
  • 1963: 2 goals



5º (tied) - Freddy Rincón: 4 goals in 18 matches


Freddy Eusebio Rincón, Colombia
  • 1993: 1 goal
  • 1995: 3 goals



5th (tied) - Carlos Arango: 4 goals in 16 matches


  • 1947: 1 goal
  • 1957: 3 goals



5th (tied) - Antony de Ávila: 4 goals in 13 matches


  • 1989: 1 goal
  • 1991: 3 goals



5th (tied) - Juan Ernesto Díaz: 4 goals in 9 matches


  • 1975: 4 goals (joint top scorer of the edition)

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