Brazil

The Copa América has some unconventional participants this year. Due to the small size of the CONMEBOL (10 teams), additional invitees are required in order to create the tournament's typical 12-team structure.

Normally, these spaces would be filled by teams from CONCACAF, but because the Gold Cup is also this summer, CONMEBOL offered the spots to Japan and Qatar of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). So, while certainly unlikely, there is a possibility that Japan or Qatar will be crowned Copa America champion this summer.

The eighth edition of Soccer Aid, which raises money for UNICEF UK, took place last night at Stamford Bridge, and the star-studded event featured the likes of Roberto Carlos, Didier Drogba, Eric Cantona, Usain Bolt, Niall Horan, John Terry, Michael Owen and Mo Farah. 

The game finished 2-2 in regular time with F2 Freestylers baller Jeremy Lynch scoring two goals for the England XI while the World XI responded with goals from Bolt and Love Island’s Kem Cetinay. The World XI would eventually triumph on penalty kicks. 

When Brazil opens play at the 2019 Copa América in eight days time, it’ll do so without the influential Neymar. During last night’s friendly against Qatar, the 27-year-old was on the receiving end of a robust but fair challenge from Assim Madibo, ultimately resulting in a ligament rupture in his right ankle. 

When the 2019 Copa América kicks off on June 14 with a match between Brazil and Bolivia at the Morumbi in São Paulo, all eyes will be on the hosts, led by captain Neymar, before attentions turn to Salvador the following day for a match between Colombia and Lionel Messi’s Argentina. 

Remember the name: Matheus Cunha. 

The 19-year-old Brazilian arrived at RB Leipzig from FC Sion last June for $17.1 million, but he’s been brought along slowly in the Bundesliga with 15 of his 21 appearances coming from off the bench. 

However, on Saturday, Cunha scored his second league goal of the season, and my word. The Brazil U-20 forward pulled off a ridiculous Zidane turn to eliminate two Bayer Leverkusen defenders before seamlessly transitioning into a delicate chip over Lukáš Hrádecký.