The Copa América is close to reaching its knockout stage. With several teams already qualified for the next round, the group stage is set to end on a positive note for many teams and a very negative one for others. Two of those who have best taken advantage of their first two matches, without a doubt, are the leaders of Group B and Group C, Venezuela and Uruguay, respectively.
The Vinotinto team won their first two matches against Ecuador (1-2) and Mexico (1-0), solidly and surprisingly securing their place in the quarterfinals. For their part, Uruguay won, pleased and thrashed Panama (3-1) and Bolivia (5-0) and obtained their ticket to the next round in an emphatic manner.
What do these two teams have in common? Simple. They are the two national teams with the most players from the Brasileirão and Brasileirão B throughout the continental tournament, as reported by the media outlet ESPN Brazil.
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The four countries with the most representatives from Brazilian football
Of the 16 teams that will compete in the Copa América, a total of eight will have players who play in the different categories of Brazilian football. The only countries without this “Brazilian” presence in their call-ups are the following: Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, United States, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and Peru.
Now, in terms of the teams with the most presences, it’s time to talk about Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador:
Venezuela
La Vinotinto has a total of six call-ups who currently play in Brazilian football.
The best-known of all would be Yeferson Soteldo, the former Santos star and current Grêmio striker, but other standouts such as Nahuel Ferraresi (São Paulo), Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo), Wilker Ángel (Criciúma), Kervin “Tuti” Andrade (Fortaleza) and Tomás Rincón (Santos) also deserve a mention.
Uruguay
La Celeste, led by Bielsa, is facing the Copa América with a new generation of high-level players.
A total of six players who play in the Brasileirão have been called up for the continental tournament, including the quartet of Uruguayans from Mengão: Nicolás De La Cruz (Flamengo), Matías Viña (Flamengo), G. De Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Rochet (Internacional) and Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense).
Colombia
With five call-ups, the Colombian team also manages to get into the top of this list.
The Libertadores champion with Fluminense, Jhon Arias, would be the best-known example, but other stars like James Rodríguez (São Paulo), Rafael Santos Borré (Internacional), Richard Ríos (Palmeiras) and Santiago Arias (Bahia) have also been present in the call-up list.
Ecuador
The last country with five “Brazilian” presences in this Copa América is the Ecuadorian Tricolor team.
Led by veteran Enner Valencia (Internacional), this growing talent-rich country will also feature the presence of Félix Torres (Corinthians), José Hurtado (RB Bragantino), Alan Franco (Atlético-MG) and José Cifuentes (Cruzeiro).
What about Brazil?
For its part, Brazil will only have four players who currently play in their national league. The goalkeeper of Athletico Paranaense, Beto, and the future star of Real Madrid, Endrick (Palmeiras), are the best-known names that, at least for the moment, remain tied to the football of their country. Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG) and Rafael (São Paulo) complete the list.
