The recently concluded South American U-20 Championship, held in Venezuela, had it all. Big wins, games full of excitement, surprises and more. Among the highlights, the tournament was also was a great platform for young talents to showcase their abilities. After more than three weeks of action, it was Brazil that emerged on top, with Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia also qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup™, which Chile will host later this year.

Among a host of standout young talents on display at the tournament, FIFA has selected five players who impressed and who could carry their nation’s hopes in Chile at the U-20 World Cup, which gets underway on 27 September.

Neiser Villarreal (Colombia)

Villarreal couldn’t stop scoring in Venezuela. He netted eight to become the tournament’s top goalscorer, followed by Claudio Echeverri, with six. The Millonarios forward broke the record for consecutive Colombian goals in a South American tournament, with four, surpassing the record previously held by Hugo Rodallega, with three.

The 19-year-old was also just one off matching the player with the most goals in a single edition: a certain Neymar, who scored nine in 2011. He took time to get going, with his first goal coming in a 1-0 win against Ecuador. He then scored against Bolivia in a 3-2 win, and again when beating Brazil 1-0. In the final stage, he continued to impress, with a hat-trick against Paraguay (4-1), a goal against Chile (3-1), and another against Uruguay (3-1).

Colombia head coach Cesar Torres, surprised everyone when he decided to take him off the wing, where he usually plays, and use him as a centre forward. He certainly rose to the challenge, finding the back of the net in a variety of ways but particularly inside the box, displaying sharp and precise finishing. In addition to his trademark speed and unpredictability, with diagonal runs behind the opposition he combined deadly finishing and a calm approach to exploit gaps in the defence to great effect.

Claudio Echeverri (Argentina)

Probably the most well-known player leading into the tournament and he didn’t disappoint. Positioned in the middle of the attacking line, just in front of the pair of central midfielders, he saw plenty of the ball and certainly made the most of it. He unsettled defenders with his speed and dribbling, creating danger in key areas of the pitch. The numbers don’t lie. In nine games he scored six goals and laid on three assists.

In the opening fixture he was outstanding, with two goals and an assist in a crushing 6-0 win over Brazil, a team he is well used to scoring against, having also scored a penalty against the same rival in a 1-1 draw in the final phase.

As the most experienced player on Diego Placente’s team, with more than 40 games for River Plate, he was both the team’s captain and leader. Now he is getting ready to join Manchester City, a club which paid 25 million euros for his services.

Pedrinho (Brazil)

Pedrinho wore the number 10 shirt and the captain’s armband for Brazil and showed an extensive repertoire of attacking threats that fully justified the choice of head coach Ramon Menezes.

When he was brought into the Corinthians first team, he caught the attention of both the black and white fans and an international audience for his close ball control and goal threat. At the South America}}}}}} U-20 Championship he not only showcased those abilities, but displayed even more. With six assists, he emerged as one of the tournament’s most prolific playmakers.

The attacking midfielder was also responsible for Brazil’s set pieces and whether from free kicks or corners he made a decisive impact and was one of the major factors that led to his team winning the continental title.

Juan Rossel (Chile)

La Roja know they will have to improve before hosting the U-20 World Cup. Nicolas Cordova’s side managed to advance to the final stage but, when faced with its toughest opposition, failed to win a single match. On the positive side, the performance of their striker, Juan Rossel, was a highlight.

With five goals in as many games, he was the third highest scorer at the tournament, behind Villarreal and Echeverri. With good positioning, intelligent runs behind the back-line and a clear eye for goal, the Universidad Catolica striker demonstrated his class.

“The goals are a second priority, the primary goal is for the team to win. If we don’t achieve that, then the goals don’t matter to me. But looking on the bright side, it’s positive, it’s good for my confidence. I want to return to Chile and fight for a place at my club”, said the team’s captain.

Diego Leon (Paraguay)

Left-footed, comfortable in his positioning and with strong leadership traits, Leon emerged as one of Paraguay’s most valuable assets.

The left-back, who debuted with Cerro Porteno in 2024 and was bought by Manchester United in its bid to acquire young talent, has the physical toughness of the Paraguayan game, but also an exquisite technique that makes him a key addition to La Albirroja’s attacks.

This is exactly what he showed in the precise cross that he delivered to Angel Aguayo in a 2-1 victory over Chile. He also scored after pouncing onto a rebound from a set piece in a 3-2 win over Argentina, in the tournament’s final fixture.