Every Recipient of the Copa America Best Player Award

1989 – Ruben Sosa (Uruguay)

Ruben Sosa, a skilled forward known for his creativity, agility, and powerful shot, had the ability to score a variety of goals. Often compared to modern Uruguayan star Luis Suarez, Sosa was among the top European forwards of his era.

In the 1989 tournament, Sosa played a pivotal role for Uruguay, scoring crucial goals against Chile and Bolivia in key victories that propelled Uruguay into the final round of group-stage games. However, his most significant contributions came against Argentina in the final round, where his two goals provided Uruguay with a chance to win the tournament for the second consecutive time. Despite their efforts, Uruguay ultimately fell short, losing to Brazil in the final group-stage match.

1991 – Leonardo Rodriguez (Argentina)

Another player known for his distinctive hairstyle, Leonardo Rodriguez, stood out at the 1991 Copa America, earning the Best Player award. As a talented central midfielder for Argentina, Rodriguez dictated the tempo of the game while showcasing his technical prowess in advancing the ball.

His contributions were pivotal to Argentina's success, notably facilitating Gabriel Batistuta's impressive goal-scoring feat, as Rodriguez provided the crucial supply line. In Chile that summer, he played a role in four of Argentina's goals, showcasing his ability to deliver wicked set-pieces, including a memorable one against their arch-rivals, Brazil. This stellar performance helped Argentina secure their 13th Copa America title.

1993 – Sergio Goycochea (Argentina)

Sergio Goycochea rose to prominence for Argentina during the 1990 World Cup, stepping in for the injured Nery Pumpido as the team's goalkeeper. Goycochea impressed with several crucial saves, notably in the final against Germany, despite Argentina ultimately finishing as runners-up.

However, it was in the semi-final of the 1993 Copa America where Goycochea truly shone. His performance was pivotal, as he came close to saving Carlos Valderrama's penalty in the decisive shootout and successfully blocked Victor Aristizabal's spot-kick, securing Argentina's spot in the final—a match they would eventually win. Despite only keeping two clean sheets throughout the tournament, Goycochea's contributions were undeniable, making him a deserving recipient of accolades.

1995 – Enzo Francescoli (Uruguay)

Enzo Francescoli, renowned for his elegance and creativity in midfield, enjoyed successful stints in both South America and Europe, solidifying his status as one of Uruguay's finest players. His illustrious career included three Copa America triumphs with the national team.

Francescoli played a crucial role in Uruguay's midfield during the 1995 Copa America, alongside Gus Poyet and Pablo Bengoechea. He contributed significantly to their success, scoring a penalty against Venezuela in the group stage and securing a vital victory over Paraguay with the only goal of the match. In the final against Brazil, Francescoli set the tone by calmly converting the opening penalty in the decisive shootout, as Uruguay clinched their record 14th Copa America title at the time.

1997 – Ronaldo (Brazil)

Ronaldo, who had been making waves in Spain before dominating the 1997 Copa America, was known as 'Ronaldinho' during the tournament. This nickname, meaning 'little Ronaldo' in Portuguese, was used to distinguish him from a teammate also named Ronaldo.

His impact was immediate, as he showcased his exceptional finishing skills and composure under pressure by netting a brace against Costa Rica in the group stage. In the quarter-final clash against Peru, Ronaldo continued his scoring spree with two more goals, demonstrating his pace and skill as he eluded defenders to find the back of the net. His second goal was particularly impressive, as he skillfully evaded Giuliano Portilla before slotting home.

Ronaldo's influence extended to the final, where he capitalized on a slightly wayward one-two pass to produce a powerful finish that beat Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Trucco, adding to his tally for the tournament.

1999 – Rivaldo (Brazil)

Once again, Brazil found success in the 1999 Copa America with the aid of a forward who had recently made a significant impact in Spain's La Liga. Rivaldo's goal-scoring prowess began to flourish after a relatively quiet start in the group stage, as he found his rhythm in both the quarter-final and semi-final matches.

However, it was in the final against Uruguay where Rivaldo truly dazzled, delivering a masterclass performance by netting a brace. His first goal showcased his exceptional skill, as he executed a superb flicked header from a free-kick. For his second goal, Rivaldo displayed finesse and precision with a wonderfully taken dink over the goalkeeper. This remarkable display, coupled with Ronaldo's contribution to the scoreline, perfectly epitomized their partnership throughout the tournament, resulting in a total of 13 goals between them.

2001 – Amado Guevara (Honduras)

The 2001 Copa America stands out as one of the most chaotic tournaments in history. Just 10 days before its scheduled start, security concerns led to its cancellation due to worries about Colombia's safety, as expressed by CONMEBOL. However, five days later, the competition was reinstated. Amidst the chaos, Canada withdrew, but the most startling development was Argentina's last-minute withdrawal, citing alleged death threats from terrorist groups against their players.

In a remarkable turn of events, Honduras stepped in to fill Argentina's void, arriving at the tournament mere hours before their first match, courtesy of a plane provided by the Colombian Air Force. Despite the challenging circumstances, Amado Guevara and Honduras made the most of the situation. Guevara's three goals played a crucial role in Honduras advancing from the group stage and eventually reaching the semi-finals, with a notable victory over Brazil along the way.

2004 – Adriano (Brazil)

The 2004 Copa America marked Adriano's emergence onto the international stage, as he played a pivotal role in Brazil's triumph, scoring a remarkable seven goals throughout the tournament. Affectionately known as 'The Emperor,' Adriano's dominant performances propelled Brazil to their third Copa America title in four tournaments.

Adriano's memorable journey began with a sensational hat-trick against Costa Rica, marking Brazil's first in the tournament in 45 years. He continued his goal-scoring spree with a brace in the quarter-final clash against Mexico, contributing to Brazil's victory. In the semi-final, Adriano found the net once again, scoring a crucial goal and converting a penalty in the shootout to secure Brazil's spot in the final against Uruguay.

In the highly anticipated final, Adriano once again proved his worth by scoring a dramatic 93rd-minute equalizer, forcing the game into extra time and eventually to a penalty shootout. Displaying nerves of steel, Adriano calmly converted from the spot for the second consecutive game, as Brazil clinched a memorable victory over Argentina in what is regarded as one of the greatest Copa America finals in history.

2007 – Robinho (Brazil)