Messi leads Argentina contingent in Copa America Team of the Tournament
Argentina claimed their 16th Copa America crown on Sunday night as they beat Colombia 1-0 at the Hard Rock Stadium. Both teams are represented in the Copa America Team of the Tournament, as are Venezuela, Ecuador and Uruguay.
Rafael Romo (Venezuela) - 7.60
Having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.60, Rafael Romo kicks off the Copa America team of the tournament. While Venezuela were dumped out of the competition by Canada at the quarter-final stage, Romo was influential in their progression to the knockout round. Indeed, the 34-year-old made the fourth most saves (13) and, excluding penalty shootouts, was the only goalkeeper to save a spot kick.
Daniel Munoz (Colombia) - 7.22
Daniel Munoz was suspended for the Copa America final and Colombia missed the Crystal Palace man down the right. The 28-year-old was directly involved in three Colombia goals at the Copa America, scoring twice, while the right-back made the fifth most tackles (22) to feature with a WhoScored rating of 7.22.
Cristian Romero (Argentina) - 7.46
The first of three players for Copa America winners Argentina, Cristian Romero was superb at the back for Lionel Scaloni's side. Romero ranked fourth for tackles (24), third for interceptions (9) and top for passes (348) at the Copa America. The Tottenham centre-back put in a player of the match showing in the final against Colombia to help return an average WhoScored rating of 7.46.
Ronald Araujo (Uruguay) - 7.38
Partnering Romero at the heart of the defence is Uruguay's Ronald Araujo. The centre-back may have missed the semi-final defeat to Colombia due to injury but was impressive nonetheless when available. The 25-year-old won the fifth most aerial duels per game (4.5) to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 7.38.
Piero Hincapie (Ecuador) - 7.15
Rounding off the defence is the first of two Ecuador representatives. While a centre-back by trade, Piero Hincapie was solid from left-back having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.15. Hincapie ranked 14th for tackles per game (3.3) at the Copa America with Ecuador ultimately falling to eventual winners Argentina at the quarter-final stage.
James Rodriguez (Colombia) - 7.93
While he couldn't get Colombia over the line to land a second Copa America trophy, James Rodriguez enjoyed a wonderful tournament overall. The creative star finished the competition top for key passes (20) and assists (6), while an additional goal saw the 33-year-old land a WhoScored rating of 7.93, enough to claim the player of the tournament award.
Federico Valverde (Uruguay) - 7.45
The second Uruguay player in the XI features in midfield. Federico Valverde was key as La Celeste finished third at the Copa America, putting in a series of solid all-round displays from the middle of the park. Valverde also made more accurate through balls (6) than any other player to take his place in the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.45.
Moises Caicedo (Ecuador) - 7.57
Joining Valverde in the middle of the park is Ecuador's Moises Caicedo, who returned a WhoScored rating of 7.57. No player made more interceptions than Caicedo (10) at the Copa America, while he also won possession in the midfield third 15 times, that ranking eighth, to secure his spot in the XI.
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) - 7.27
One of Argentina's unsung heroes on their way to glory, only James Rodriguez registered more assists than Alexis Mac Allister (2) at the Copa America. No player won possession in the attacking third more times than the Liverpool star (6), who also ranked among the top 15 players for tackles (13) in the USA.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 7.42
Lionel Messi rounds off the Argentina contingent having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.42. Messi was forced off in Sunday's final win over Colombia with an ankle issue but did enough to feature on the frontline. The Argentina captain may have only provided one assist at the tournament but it wasn't for want of trying as he ranked second for key passes (14), and created more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities (7) than any other player.
Salomon Rondon (Venezuela) - 7.91
Linking up with Messi on the frontline in this XI is Venezuela's Salomon Rondon. The experienced striker netted three times at the Copa America and ranked second for shots (18) and top for aerial duels won (21) to secure his spot in the side with a WhoScored rating of 7.91.
