Copa America: All-time top scorers

The Copa America all-time top scorers are from two rival nations that keep meeting in the tournament final, even 100 years later.

The Copa America is a competition infused with South American culture, talent, and history. Although today's superstars, such as Lionel Messi and Neymar, have dominated Copa America discussions over the last decade, legendary players for Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and more, paved the way for the current generation.

In fact, the top four goal scorers in the Copa America's 108-year existence have held the all-time record since the invention of color TV. Check out the full list of players who always found the back of the net in Copa America matches.

Copa America: All-time top scorers

The Copa America all-time top goal scorers are Zizinho of Brazil and Norberto Méndez of Argentina. Both legendary players scored 17 goals in the Copa America, earning their top spot in the overall rankings for the better part of the last century.

Zizinho helped Brazil win their third Copa America title in 1949 after a 27-year drought. He found the back of the net five times throughout the tournament and helped his team raise the trophy in their home country.

Méndez's resume is a bit more impressive, securing three Copa America titles with Argentina in 1945, 1946, and 1947. In fact, the Argentinean won the Copa America Golden Boot in 1945 after scoring six goals in the competition, including a hat-trick against Brazil.

Beyond the two giants at the top of the list, check out the other notable goal scorers in the history of the Copa America.

If Argentina perform well in the 2024 Copa America, Lionel Messi could rise through the ranks of the tournament's all-time goal scorers. The Argentinean needs four goals to tie Zizinho and Méndez, and five to stand alone at the top.