How Real Madrid players performed in the Copa America 2024 group stage
- Four Real Madrid players are competing at Copa America 2024
- Fede Valverde is the captain of Uruguay
- Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo have struggled for Brazil
Four Real Madrid players traveled to the United States this summer to compete at Copa America 2024, but some of them failed to show their talent on the pitch in the group stage.
Real Madrid ended their season in typical Real Madrid fashion, winning the Champions League for a record 15th time, as well as La Liga. Unsurprisingly, 13 players from Carlo Ancelotti's world-class squad, including recent signing, Kylian Mbappé, were called-up to compete at Euro 2024. Perhaps the team's most impactful players, though, are representing their countries at Copa America 2024.
Here's a breakdown of how Real Madrid's superstars performed in the first three fixtures in the world's oldest international soccer tournament.
How Real Madrid players performed in the Copa America 2024 group stage
Eder Militao (Brazil)
Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 266 | 0 | 0 |
Eder Militao missed almost the entire 2023/24 season with Real Madrid after tearing his ACL in August. The defender recovered in time to make a brief appearance in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund before he represented Brazil at Copa America 2024.
Militao's minutes were strictly managed in the Selecao's international friendlies leading up to the tournament, but once Copa America 2024 kicked off, the 26-year-old slotted alongside Marquinhos as Dorival Junior's preferred center-back pairing.
Militao was easily the best Real Madrid player for Brazil in the group stage, helping Alisson keep a clean sheet against Costa Rica and limiting Colombia's electric attack to just one goal. The only thing missing from Militao's group stage performances was a goal.
Vinicius Jr. (Brazil)
Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 251 | 2 | 0 |
Vinicius Jr. all-but had the Ballon d'Or locked up after his season with Real Madrid, scoring 24 goals for Los Blancos across all competitions, including one in the Champions League final. The Brazilian has never truly performed at the same level for his country, though, coming into Copa America 2024 with just three international goals.
As one of the best players in the tournament, Vini Jr. arrived in the United States with the highest of expectations, and failed to live up to them in the group stage. Yes, the winger scored an impressive brace in Brazil's 4-1 victory over Paraguay, but he also massively struggled to do much of anything against Costa Rica and Colombia.
Vini Jr. concluded the Copa America 2024 group stage earning his second yellow card of the tournament, earning a suspension for the quarter-finals.
Rodrygo (Brazil)
Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 242 | 0 | 0 |
Rodrygo is having an underwhelming tournament so far. The 23-year-old was crucial to Real Madrid's Champions League and La Liga titles this past season, but he has yet to make a meaningful contribution for his country at Copa America 2024.
Rodrygo was forced to play as a striker for Brazil this summer, and although it is not his preferred position, he has found success as a No. 9 before. The goals are not coming to him, though, and like almost every other attacker for the Selecao, Rodrygo is also not creating enough dangerous chances for his teammates.
Fede Valverde (Uruguay)
Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assist |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 261 | 1 | 0 |
Fede Valverde has had a whirlwind summer so far. The midfielder went from winning the Champions League final with Real Madrid to inheriting the No. 8 shirt from Toni Kroos to captaining Uruguay at Copa America 2024 all within the span of a month.
It is no secret that Valverde is one of the best midfielders in the world, and the 25-year-old is translating his impressive performances for Los Blancos to his national team. Uruguay finished atop Group C, earning all nine possible points from their three group stage fixtures, and Valverde dominated the midfield in each one.
Valverde has looked like Real Madrid's most consistent, irreplaceable player at Copa America 2024 through the group stage, and even bagged a goal against Bolivia.