Most disappointing players of Copa America 2024 - ranked

The most disappointing players of Copa America 2024 did not contribute to their teams when it mattered most, and some even (literally) failed to show up.

As James Rodriguez, Lautaro Martinez, and Fede Valverde continue to impress at Copa America 2024, other star players could not even find the back of the net for their countries this summer, leading to surprising group stage exits and quarter-final upsets. In fact, a couple of the biggest (and best) players in the world delivered lackluster performances that stained their otherwise brilliant 2023/24 campaigns.

Here's a breakdown of the five most underwhelming players representing their countries at Copa America 2024.

Most disappointing players of Copa America 2024 - ranked

5. Enner Valencia (Ecuador)

Enner Valencia will look back on his Copa America 2024 performance and think what could have been. The striker was sent off in Ecuador's first group stage match against Venezuela, and then served his one-game suspension against Jamaica. Valencia was lucky his team still earned enough points to finish in second place of Group B and advance to the knockout rounds.

Although Ecuador's chances of beating the reigning champions, Argentina, in the quarter-finals were slim, La Tri could have had the upset of the tournament had Valencia delivered. The captain missed a penalty in the 62nd minute that would have put his side level with La Albiceleste.

If Valencia scored from the spot, Ecuador would have went on to win the game 2-1. Instead, they lost in a penalty shootout.

4. Tim Weah (USA)

Although several USMNT players had a rather disappointing Copa America, Tim Weah made the most detrimental mistake of them all. The winger was sent off in the 18th minute against Panama in the USA's second group stage match. Weah struck Roderick Miller in the back of the head, earning himself a straight red and a two-game suspension.

The USA would go on to lose 2-1 to Panama, all-but diminishing their chances at advancing to the knockout rounds. Gregg Berhalter's side then had to face Uruguay in their final group stage match without Weah, and they failed to score, ending their Copa America 2024 campaign on home soil before it barely began.

3. Santiago Gimenez (Mexico)

All eyes were on Santiago Gimenez for Mexico ahead of this summer's Copa America. The 23-year-old scored 26 goals across all competitions for Feyenoord in the 2023/24 season, and also bagged the winner in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final last year.

The striker started all three group stage games for Mexico, but failed to record a single goal or assist in his 219 minutes played. El Tri were projected to make it out of Group B, and yet they could not even score more than one goal all tournament. Gimenez's failure up top sent Mexico home early.

2. Rodrygo (Brazil)

Rodrygo is another player that failed to find the back of the net at Copa America 2024. In four matches, the Real Madrid player recorded just two shots on target and never looked overly dangerous in the final third.

The lack of playmaking from Rodrygo is unacceptable, especially after he found the back of the net 16 times for Los Blancos across all competitions this past season, and tallied eight assists. It is worth noting, though, that Dorival Junior started the 23-year old at striker in three of Brazil's four matches, and that is not Rodrygo's natural or preferred position.

1. Vinicius Jr. (Brazil)

Vinicius Jr. is without a doubt the most disappointing player at Copa America 2024. The two-time Champions League winner came into the competition as the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or after his 24-goal season for Real Madrid, but failed to show up when it mattered for Brazil.

Vini Jr. scored a brace against Paraguay, but that was the first and only time he found success this summer. In the Selecao's other two group stage matches, the 23-year-old was virtually invisible, and did not generate many goalscoring opportunities.

To cap off his underwhelming group stage, Vini Jr. earned a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation, and therefore missed Brazil's quarter-final match against Uruguay. Dorival Junior's squad would go on to lose to La Celeste in a penalty shootout.