Top preformances in major competitions (Not the World Cup)

I am really enjoying the discussion in the world cup thread about the top performances ever in a single competition. I would love to start off the same type of discussion for some other major club and international competitions. It would also be great to try to compile any sources we have.

South American Championships - I tried to stick with tournaments that were well attended by all nations for this preliminary list of top performers. Also a quick question off the top, were the Copa America best player awards given retroactively? If so for how long? A am assuming the more recent tournaments have awarded the best player at the time of the tournament and the older awards are retroactive (Same situation as world cup).

Also this thread

https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/best-south-american-players-50s-60s.1383569/page-3

Has some excellent newspaper ratings for some of the well attended important Copa Americas from the 50s/60s posted by msioux.

To start out I will go through by year and try to give an idea of how well the tournament was attended and who some candidates are (there is not squad info for a lot of the old tournaments by you can get a decent idea by looking at the goalscorers of what type of team they brought).

1916: Hosts: Argentina. Participants (4): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay. Based on the famous goal scorers for the top sides participating Brazil (Friedenreich), Argentina (Ohaco), and Uruguay (Piendibene) I wold say that the big three had close to top squads. Champion Uruguay. Official top player Isabelino Gradin (All action forward/midfielder top scorer 3 goals). Other possible top performers: José Piendibene (Playmaking forward, some have dubbed him the first false 9, scored twice).

1917: Hosts: Uruguay. Participants (4): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay. Once again based on famous goal scorers the big three had close to top squads: Brazil (Neco, Amilicar), Argentina (Ohaco), and Uruguay (Gradin, Scarone). Champion Uruguay. Official top player Hector Scarone (Legendary Playmaker). Other possible top performers: Angel Romano (Famous lll purpose utility player and forward, top scorer 4 goals).

1919: Hosts: Brazil. Participants (4): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay. Once again based on famous goal scorers Brazil and Uruguay had top squads: Brazil (Friedenreich, Neco, Amilicar), Uruguay (Romano, Scarone). Unsure on Argentina as their goals scorers were Edwin Clarcke and Carlos Izaguirre. Don't know if they were top players or not. Champion Brazil. Official top player Arthur Friedenreich (Legendary striker and joint top scorer 4 goals). Other possible top performers: Neco (Joint top scorer with Friedenreich 4 goals, famous forward for Cornithians), also Amilcar Barbuy the top midfielder of the time (1 goal).

1920: Hosts: Chile. Participants (4): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay. Based on famous goal scorers Argentina and Uruguay had top squads: Argentina (Libonatti), Uruguay (Romano, Piendibene). Unsure on
Brazil who came in a solid second place but I do not recognize their goalscorers: Machado, Zezé, Candiota. Champion Uruguay. Official top player José Piendibene. Other possible top performers: Angel Romano and José Pérez (Joint top scorer 3 goals).

1921: Hosts: Argentina. Participants (5): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Based on famous goal scorers Argentina and Uruguay had top squads: Argentina (Libonatti), Uruguay (Romano, Piendibene). Unsure on Brazil, possibly a B squad as they only scored 1 goal all tourney and it was from Ismael Alvariza.Champion Argentina. Official top player Américo Tesoriere (Argentina Goalkeeper). Other possible top performers: Julio Libonatti (Famous striker who had excellent club and international careers in Argentina and Italy): top scorer 3 goals.

1922: Hosts: Brazil. Participants (5): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Brazil had a top team featuring Neco and Almilcar, but no famous names among the Uruguay or Argentina goalscorers so maybe B teams? Paraguay finishing second probably increases the odds that Argentina and Uruguay took B teams. Champion Brazil. Official top player Agostinho Fortes Filho (Brazilian midfielder from Fluminense).
Other possible top performers: Neco and Amilcar Barbuy, the famous Conithians duo both scored twice for Brazil.

1923: Hosts: Uruguay. Participants (5): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Uruguay had the only sure A team here. Famous names missing for Brazil and Argentina. Champion Uruguay. Official top player José Nasazzi (Famous captain and defender of the great Uruguay teams of the time). Other possible top performers: The famous forward line that dominated in South American and International football was now fully present with Pedro Petrone ( joint top scorer 3 goals), Pedro Cea (1 goal), and Hector Scarone (1 goal)
1924: Hosts: Uruguay. Participants (4): Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Uruguay had little competition here with Brazil absent and Argentina having a team of unknown quality (no big names on the score sheet). Champion Uruguay. Official top player Pedro Petrone (top scorer 4 goals). Other possible top performers: Angel Romano (2 goals) and Pedro Cea (1 goal).

1925: Hosts: Argentina. Participants (3): Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay. Argentina (Seoane, and Tarasconi) and Brazil (Friedenreich and Nilo) both brought strong teams, but without Uruguay it was a two horse race. Champion Argentina. Official top player Manuel Seoane (The legendary Argentina striker was top scorer with 6 goals in 4 games including a hat trick vs Brazil). Other possible top performers: none, Seoane was surely the man for this tournament.

1926: Hosts: Chile. Participants (5): Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Argentina (Sosa, Cherro, and Tarasconi) and Uruguay (Castro and Scarone) both brought strong teams but maybe not their best? Chile was also very competitive, making this the first time someone outside the big three was a contender. Champion Uruguay. Official top player José Leandro Andrade (The legendary midfielder known as 'The Black Marvel' makes an appearance between his two dominating Olympic performances). Other possible top performers: Hector Scarone and Héctor Castro both scored 6 for the winners. David Arellano scored 7 times as top scorer for Chile.

1927: Hosts: Peru. Participants (4): Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay. Argentina (Carricaberry, Ferreira, and Seoane) and Uruguay (Castro, Petrone, and Scarone) both brought their top teams. Complete two horse race as Bolivia and Peru were miles behind. Champion Argentina. Official top player Manuel Seoane (First player to win the award twice, scored 2 goals in a blowout of Bolivia). Other possible top performers: A lot of possibilities with Manuel Ferreira (famous Argentina striker 2 goals), Alfredo Carricaberry (Famous San Lorenzo striker scored 3 and was joint top scorer), and Hector Scarone (joint top scorer with two of his three goals vs Argentina in a losing effort).

1929: Hosts: Argentina. Participants (4): Argentina, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. Argentina (Ferreira, Evaristo, Cherro, and Peucelle) had a top team and although Uruguay preformed poorly and did not get any goals from their top forwards Andrade did get on the goals sheet showing they brought some top players. Paraguay was strong coming in second with Peru very poor. Champion Argentina. Official top player Manuel Ferreira (Scored 3 goals for the winners). Other possible top performers: Adolfo Zumelzú (top half back for Argentina who scored twice and was part of a defense that only allowed 1 goal). Top scorer of the tournament was Aurelio Benítez (5 goals), one of Paraguay's all time great who lead the team to a second place finish.

1935: Hosts: Peru. Participants (4): Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay. Two horse race with Argentina (Masantonio) and Uruguay (Castro and Ciocca) having strong teams. Champion Uruguay. Official top player José Nasazzi (joins Seoane as the only other two time winner to this point, led the defense that only allowed 1 goal). Other possible top performers: Anibal Ciocca (3 goals) and Héctor Castro (2 goals) were two of Nacional's all time great forwards and both scored in the decisive match vs Argentina.

1937: Hosts: Argentina. Participants (6): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. The first tournament where nearly all nations from South America attend and bring strong teams: Brazil (Luisinho, Patesko, Carvalho Leite, Niginho), Argentina (Zozaya, Varallo, De la Mata), Uruguay (Varela). Champion Argentina. Official top player Vicente de la Mata (The great Independiente forward scored twice in extra time to defeat of Brazil in the final championship deciding match). Other possible top performers: Alberto Zozaya (scored 5 times for Argentina) and Luisinho scored 4 for Brazil as part of the top scoring team in the tournament.

1939: Hosts: Peru. Participants (5): Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. The first participation for Ecuador who struggled, but all the other teams were competitive as Peru, Paraguay and Chile as all reasonably strong teams now, although the tournament suffers greatly from the lack of Brazil and Argentina. Champion Peru. The first team outside the big three to win a Copa America and would remain the only team until 1953. Official top player Teodoro Fernández (One of Peru's greatest and most important player, the striker was the top scorer of the tournament scoring 7 times in 4 games). Other possible top performers: Jorge Alcalde (The Peruvian inside forward scored 5 time including once in the decisive match vs Uruagay) and Severino Varela the great Uruguayan forward who was a star with Penoral and Boca Jr scored 5 times for Uruguay.

1941: Hosts: Chile. Participants (5): Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay. Argentina and Uruguay were the two best teams by a large margin, both brought strong squads: Argentina (Moreno, Marvezzi, Sastre) and Uruguay (Varela, Porta, Gambetta). Brazil is noticeably absent. Champion Argentina. Official top player Sergio Livingstone (Chile's goalkeeper) is a seemingly strange choice as his team came in a respectable third allowing 3 goals in four games. Other possible top performers: José Manuel Moreno (The legendary forward scored 3 times, twice in a critical 2-1 win over a strong Peru team who were defending champions) and Antonio Sastre (Another Argentine legend makes an appearance scoring the decisive 1-0 winner vs their major rivals Uruguay) both seem to have good claims. Argentina's top scorer and tournament top scorer was Juan Marvezzi, but I do not consider him strongly as all 5 of his goals were vs lowly Ecuador.

1942: Hosts: Uruguay. Participants (7): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. For the second time we have a fully attended tournament with the all top teams bringing their top players: Argentina (Masanronio, Moreno, Pedernera), Brazil (Pirillo, Zizinho, Tim), Uruguay (O. Varela, S. Varela, Porta, Gambetta). Champion Uruguay. Official top player Obdulio Varela: The great center half who would later captain Uruguay to world cup glory led Uruguay to a very impressive victory in 1942, going 6-0 with a 21 goals scored and only 2 conceded in a stacked field, beating Brazil and Argentina 1-0. Other possible top performers: Severino Varela was Uruguay's joint top scorer with Roberto Porta, both scoring 5 times. Varela also scored the winner vs Brazil. José Manuel Moreno and Herminio Masantonio were the tournaments joint top scorers, both scoring 7 times, Moreno netting a critical brace in a 3-1 win vs Peru and Masantonio scoring the winner vs Brazil.

1945: Hosts: Chile. Participants (7): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay. Another tournament where the top 3 all brought full strength sides: Argentina (N. Mendez, Martino, Pontoni, De le Mata, Loustau) Brazil (Ademir, Heleno, Jair, Zizinho), Uruguay (O. Varela, A. Garcia, Porta) as well as Chile bring a competitive team, although Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador were cannon fodder. Champion Argentina. Official top player Domingos da Guia: The legendary Brazilian defender led a stout defense that only allowed 5 goals in 6 games, but this is a somewhat pzzling selection when you look at the alternatives. Other possible top performers: my choice for top player would be Norberto Méndez, the great Argentine inside forward was the tournaments co-top scorer with 6 goals, including a legendary hat trick in their decisive 3-1 victory over rivals Brazil. Rinaldo Martino: The versatile Argentine forward scored 5 times including the 1-0 winner vs Uruguay. Heleno de Freitas was still Brazil's top striker at this point, shunning Ademir out wide. He was to co-top scorer of the tournament with 6 including Brazil's most critical goals, the winner in the 1-0 victory over Chile and brace in the 3-0 win over Uruguay.

1946: Hosts: Chile. Participants (6): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Another strong tournament where the top 3 all brought full strength sides: Argentina (Labruna, N. Mendez, Pedernera, Loustau, Martino, De le Mata) Brazil (Heleno, Jair, Zizinho), Uruguay (Medina, Schiaffino) as well as Chile and Paraguay bringing a competitive teams, only Bolivia was cannon fodder. Champion Argentina. Official top player Adolfo Pedernera: The great deep lying center forward and playmaker scored two goals both in important close wins vs Uruguay and Chile. Was the playmaker of the offense that scored a tournament best 17 goals in 5 games. Other possible top performers: Norberto Méndez again played a huge role scoring 5 times including a brace in the 2-0 win over Brazil in the final tournament deciding game.

1947: Hosts: Ecuador. Participants (8): Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. Argentina were the clear favorites here with a very strong team (Di Stefano, N. Mendez, Boye, Lousta, Pontoni, Moreno) in the absence of Brazil. Uruguay lacked some of its top stars but were solid along with Paraguay, Chile, and Peru. Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia were poor.Champion Argentina: they did not disappoint going 6-1-0 and scoring 28 goals. Official top player José Manuel Moreno: he returned from his sabbatical in Mexico to River Plate and Argentina, he now was more playmaker than striker, scoring 3 times. Other possible top performers: Norberto Méndez and Alfredo di Stéfano both scored 6 goals and Félix Loustau scored an impressive 4 from the wing.

1949: Hosts: Brazil. Participants (8): Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. As with the previous edition there was one clear favorite with Brazil having a very strong team (Ademir, Jair, Tesourinha, Zizinho, Alvim) in the absence of three time defending champion Argentina. Uruguay had a poor squad along with Paraguay being the only threat to Brazil. Champion Brazil: they did not disappoint going 6-0-1 and scoring and amazing 39 goals. Official top player Ademir: one of Brazil's many potent offensive weapons, he scored a hat trick in the decisive final playoff vs Paraguay, scoring 7 in total. Other possible top performers: Jair da Rosa Pinto: the attacking midfielder was the tournaments top scorer with 9 goals, including 2 in the final vs Paraguay. Zizinho: Scored 5 goals himself while being the key playmaker behind Brazil's offensive explosion. Dionisio Arce and Jorge Duilio Benitez were Paraguay's impressive attacking dou that both scored 7 goals, they both scored 1 in Paraguay's 2-0 win over Brazil to force the decisive final playoff which they lost after finishing even on points.

1953: Hosts: Peru. Participants (7): Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. Brazil looked to have the strongest squad again (Julinho, Baltazar, Pinga, Ademir, Zizinho, Nilton Santos) with Argentina absent and Uruguay taking a B squad. Champion Paraguay: they would have their revenge from 1949, beating Brazil in the decisive playoff this time, after once again finishing tied on points. Official top player Heriberto Herrera: The defender who played for Atletico Madrid led a strong defense for Paraguay. Other possible top performers: The attacking duo of Ángel Berni and Rubén Fernández both scored 4 goals for Paraguay. Atilio López added 3 goals, including one in both victories over Brazil.

1955: Hosts: Chile. Participants (6): Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. Argentina brought a strong squad (Micheli, Borello, Labruna, Grillo), as did Uruguay (Miguez, Abbadie, Borges) for the first time in a number of tournaments. Chile (Hormazabal, Munoz) and Peru (Sanchez, Terry) had both developed strong squads as well. Champion Argentina. Official top player Enrique Hormazabal: the great Chilean inside forward scored 6 goals leading his team to a 2nd place finish. Other possible top performers: Rodolfo Micheli: was the tournaments top scorer with 8 goals for the champions, including the winner in the 1-0 final victory over Chile. Brazil's great winger Julinho was the highest rated player of the tournament (msioux link) and scored an impressive 5 goals from the wing.

1956: Hosts: Chile. Participants (6): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay. The six strongest teams in South America attended, with only Brazil not bringing an A level squad (although there were still strong players in the team). Champion Uruguay. Official top player Óscar Miguez: the Uruguayan forward scored 3 goals, one each in critical wins vs Paraguay, Peru, and Chile (Highest rated player according to msioux link). Other possible top performers: Víctor Rodríguez Andrade was the second highest rated player of the tournament and keyed Uruguay's defense that only allowed 3 goals. The Chilean attack of was the best in the tournament scoring 11 goals and Leonel Sánchez (2 goals) and Enrique Hormazabal (4 goals and top scorer) were highly rated.

1957: Hosts: Chile. Participants (7): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay. All the top sides brought their A teams. Champion Argentina:It was an epic victory over the team that wold win the world cup next year and it birthed a legendary group of attackers. Official top player Omar Sívori: one of the "Dirty Faced Angels" he was an amazing dribbler and playmaker scoring 3 goals himself. Other possible top performers: Omar Corbatta shared playmaking duties with with Sivori from the wing, while ruthless finishing from the remaining two dirty faced angels Humberto Maschio (9 goals) and Antonio Angelillo (8 goals) rounded out an amazing attack. Brazil hab an amazing attack of their won lead by Didi who scored an amazing 6 goals from the midfield. Alberto Terry (5 goals), Javier Ambrois (9 goals), and Evaristo (8 goals) also gave excellent performances. All the player listed were rated very highly with Angelillo rated the highest followed by Maschio.

1959: Hosts: Chile. Participants (7): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay. Another fully attended tournament from all top teams with top squads. Champion Brazil. Official top player Pele: undoubtedly the top player despite coming in second place, top scorer with 8 goals and the top rated player by far. Other possible top performers: Didi and Garrincha were both highly rated. Strangely no Argentine players were highly rated despite their victory. Omar Corbatta was their biggest name regularly coming across the score sheet with 3 goals.

1959: Hosts: Ecuador. Participants (5): Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay. The big three were hear with Argentina and Uruguay bringing reasonably strong teams while Brazil did not. Champion Uruguay. Official top player Alcides Silveira the midfielder scored 3 goals for the champions. Other possible top performers: José Sanfilippo was the top scorer of the tournament for runners up Argentina, scoring 6 of their 9 goals.

1963: Hosts: Bolivia. Participants (7): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru. All of the top teams brought their B squad or worse. No point in delving any deeper. Champion Bolivia.

1967: Hosts: Uruguay. Participants (6): Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela. Uruguay and Argentina brought good squads with Chile also being solid. Champion Uruguay. Official top player Pedro Rocha: the multi-skilled playmaker scored three goals the winner in the 1-0 deciding game with Argentina. Luis Artime was the tournaments top scorer with 5 goals. Montero Castillo Defensive stalwart for Uruguay who scored a goal and was part of the defense that only allowed 2 goals.

 

1975: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. All teams participated and all brought strong squads (Brazil's was not its best squad but still a good one). Champion Peru. A very impressive achievement with full attendance from the entire continent. Official top player Teófilo Cubillas: The greatest Peruvian player ever scored three times and led an excellent Peru squad to the title.

1979: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. All teams participated and all brought strong squads. Champion Paraguay. A very impressive achievement with full attendance from the entire continent. Official top player Carlos Caszély: led Chile to the runners up position.

1983: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. The top teams brought decent teams but not their best. Champion Uruguay. A very impressive achievement with full attendance from the entire continent. Official top player Enzo Francescoli: The young Uruguayan was bursting on to the scene and scored in the final vs Brazil.

1987: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. Most nation brought their top teams or close. Champion Uruguay. Official top player Carlos Valderrama: Colombia's best player gave gave a dazzling display.

1989: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. Most nation brought their top teams of close. Champion Brazil. Official top player Ruben Sosa: The uruguayan led his team to Second place, scoring a critical brace in the final stage vs Argentina. I am partial to Bebeto, who led his team to the title as tournament top scorer.

1991: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. It was a mix pot with Argentina bringing a strong team, Brazil brought a B team and smaller nations brought good teams. Champion Argentina. Official top player Leonardo Rodríguez, the midfielder was a key component of the victory, although I might favor top scorer Gabriel Batistuta (6 goals) or stopper Oscar Ruggeri.

1993: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. The top teams brought solid young teams but not full A squads. Champion Argentina. Official top player Sergio Goycochea, the goalkeeper was a key component of the victory.

1995: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. The top teams mixed sides with some top players and some young players. Champion
Uruguay. Official top player Enzo Francescoli: ow in a playmaking role as oppose to a forward.

1997: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. most teams except Brazil Brought B teams. They were smashed by Ro-Ro. Champion
Brazil. Official top player Rolando.

1999: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. most teams except Brazil Brought B teams. Ronaldo and Rivaldo crushed the competition. Champion Brazil. Official top player Rivaldo.

2001: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela. All B teams at best, no point in going further.

2004: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico. Brazil and Argentina brought decent teams but not full A squads.
Champion Brazil. Official top player Adriano.

2007: Hosts: none. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, United States, Mexico. Brazil and Argentina (Full strength?) brought decent teams but not full A squads. Champion Brazil. Official top player Robinho.

2011: Hosts: Argentina. Participants (10): Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, United States, Mexico. All full strength sides. Champion Uruguay. Official top player Luis Suarez.

So to summarize to look for the top performances I would start with tournaments that were at least close to fully attended by top teams:

1937
1942
1945
1946
1956
1957
1959
1975
1979
1987
1989
2011

The pre 1950s stuff might be hard to get a beat on but i know their are ratings out their for the pother stuff. msouix has already linked to some for the 1950s. I would love to see some, especially for the 1970s.

Making a shortlist from there.

Obdulio Varela 1942
Norberto Méndez 1945
Adolfo Pedernera 1946
Norberto Méndez 1946
Óscar Miguez 1956
Víctor Rodríguez Andrade 1956
Omar Sívori 1957
Humberto Maschio 1957
Antonio Angelillo 1957
Didi 1957
Pele 1959
Teófilo Cubillas 1975
Hector Chumpitaz 1975?
Carlos Valderrama 1987
Ruben Sosa 1989
Bebeto 1989
Luis Suarez 2011

From what little knowledge i have the ones that stick out to me from there as the cream of the crop are.

Obdulio Varela 1942
Norberto Méndez 1945
Omar Sívori 1957
Humberto Maschio 1957
Antonio Angelillo 1957
Pele 1959
Teófilo Cubillas 1975

Totally open for debate and input. Once we exhaust what resources/willpower we have to discuss Copa Americas we can move on to European Cup/Champions Leagues, European Championships, Copa Libertadores.

 

I was interested in Argentina's ratings at the CA.

Hear are the Rating you posted

Sudamericano Buenos Aires 1959

Sudamericano Bs.As.1959, Best Players by position until 5th round
(WM variant was the most usual system)

R.ASCA - 7,80
Castilho - 7,00
J.Negri - 5,60
---------------
D.SANTOS - 7,33
W.Fleming - 7,00
F.Lombardo - 6,50

V.BENITEZ - 6,60
J.Griffa - 6,33
W.Martinez - 6,00

J.FERNANDEZ - 5,60
JC.Mesias - 5,50
JC.Murua - 5,50
---------------
FORMIGA - 6,67
Zito - 6,33
M.Grimaldo - 6,00

E.MOURIÑO - 7,33
A.Silveyra - 6,67
C.Sanabria - 6,40
---------------
GARRINCHA - 7,33
O.Gomez Sanchez - 6,00
Dorval - 5,50

DIDI - 7,20
M.Loayza - 6,60
H.Demarco - 6,00

P.VALENTIM - 7,00
J.Joya - 6,80
R.Aveiro - 6,00

PELE - 8,00
E.Calla - 6,40
A.Terry - 6,20

G.ESCALADA - 6,50
R.Belen - 6,20
J.Seminario - 5,80

http://www.rsssf.com/tables/59-1safull.html
Source: La Prensa (peruvian newspaper), march 1959.

Best Argentina players:

Eliseo Mouriño 7.33
Juan Francisco Lombardo 6,50
Pedro Calla 6,40
Jorge Griffa 6,33
Raúl Belén 6,20
Osvaldo Negri 5,60
Juan Carlos Murúa 5,50

I am not very familiar with any of these guys. Was this Argentina's A sqaud? Omar Corbatta and Ruben Sosa are some more famous names that also played but were not rated. It is strange that 1) Full strength Brazil was unable to overcome an Argentina side who just lost their top three attackers and who may not have been a full A squad even without them. 2) That Brazil's players were so much higher rated than Argentina's.

Combined Ratings:

Pele 8,00
Garrincha 7,33
Djalma Santos 7,33
Eliseo Mouriño 7.33
Didi 7,20
Paulo Valentim 7,00
Formiga 6,67
Juan Francisco Lombardo 6,50
Pedro Calla 6,40
Zito 6,33
Jorge Griffa 6,33
Raúl Belén 6,20
Osvaldo Negri 5,60
Dorval 5,50
Juan Carlos Murúa 5,50

 

Great post the ratings you posted make a little more sense now, with Argentina's last two games missing.

 

I would not consider those ECs fully attended, especially 1960, and would be unlikely to select a performance from one of those tournaments as one of the greatest EC performances of all time. However, a few top teams missing from an EC is far less detrimental to the tournaments quality that a few top teams missing from a CA. A EC in the 60s missing England and Italy has a far stronger field than a CA in the 60s missing Brazil and Argentina.

I agree that some of the CA tournaments that are missing a top side can still be important competitions but if we are looking for the best of the best performances I would look to fully attended tournaments first.

 

msioux, since you are Peruvian I wanted to ask you about CA 75. Are there any Ratings available? Who were considered the top performers outside of Cubillas?