Last update 20 April, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
Two of the best players in history They never won the Copa América. Even if it looks like a lie, neither of these two stars, They never got to be the kings of America. Both won the World Cup with their countries, one of them several times, but their domestic competition and both the world's oldest ever. Talk like Pele and Maradona not, the numbers 10 mythical contemporaries who were not in time but nevertheless, They are sworn enemies.
Neither Pelé nor Maradona ever won the Copa América
When Pele played O'rei 1959 with scarcely 18 years, Copa America even called that it was called South American Championship. The Brazil of Pele and the player himself, came as champions of the World in Sweden a year earlier where the football star of his debut and excelled being a teenager. So needless to say we were more than favorites. Pele did not fail in part and fulfilled its role being the top scorer in the tournament with 8 goals. However, his team lost this tournament 1959 in favor of Argentina.
As if a curse out, a few decades later, It was Maradona who reached his first Copa America after winning his team the World Cup although he, He had not participated. Pelusa played in 1979, 1987 y 1989 but also he failed to win the title. Not even in 1987 when they came to the event as the best player in the world and having taken the hand of Argentina to the championship of Mexico 86. Finally and as Pelé, He finished his career without knowing what it was lifting the Copa America. A Raisin in the career of two of the greatest geniuses in the history of this sport.
Messi did not achieve it until 2021
Curiously, Leo Messi got it in 2021 in an empty Maracaná due to Covid measures against Neymar's Brazil. He did it in his seventh participation in a Copa América and after 3 subchampionships. Had 34 years. All this data, that neither Pelé nor Maradona won it and that it would be difficult for Leo Messi 7 edits do it, They make it clear how difficult it is to win the Copa América
Other great players who never won the Copa América
At the double Za-Sa, He also failed to win the Copa América
Chile won the Copa America in 2015 y 2016 in special centennial edition. However, two of the best players in its history, the double Za-Sa, I never failed. Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas, despite being two scorers of the most celebrated of his time, They never managed to lead their country to win the precious South American trophy.. Definitely, two great players who never won the Copa America.
Carlos Valderrama played five editions of the Copa América
Carlos Valderrama Colombia participated in the America's Cup 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993 y 1995. And he not managed to win with zamarra your selection in any of them. In 2001 when the Colombian won the trophy, the 'kid’ he was far from his best as a professional footballer.
Chilavert, Cassely, Recoba or Elias Figueroa, other great players who never won the Copa America
Paraguayan goalkeeper, Jose Luis Chilavert, He participated in three editions (1991, 1993 y 1997) but he failed to win. Neither the Chinese Recoba Uruguay in 2007. Another mythical as Carlos Caszely also he failed to win the trophy with Chile. another Chilean, Elias Figueroa, considered the best central South American history for many, also he failed to win, attaching his name to others great players who never won the Copa América.