Lionel Messi overshadowed as forgotten Premier League star shines in Copa …

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Lionel Messi is the name everyone is talking about, but it is Salomon Rondon who is currently shining in the Copa America.

Just like at the European Championship, the biggest names in football have postponed their beach holidays to take a shot at South America’s biggest prize.

Messi mania has taken over the United States during the Copa America, with fans flocking to see the Argentine captain(/caption)

The United States hosts this year’s Copa America, which features ten teams from South America (CONMEBOL) and six from North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF).

So far the tournament has not disappointed and the main players have all easily qualified for the quarter-finals.

LIONEL MESSI AT COPA AMERICA

All eyes are on the Argentine captain, who is looking to win his third consecutive international tournament with the Albiceleste.

After an impressive season at Inter Miami, fans have turned out in droves to meet the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

And they were not shortchanged, as Messi played a crucial role in leading Argentina to a series of group stage victories.

The 37-year-old has yet to score in this year’s Copa America but has wowed fans with his usual brilliance, as evidenced by his superb assist for Lautaro Martinez in the 2-0 win over Canada on opening night.

Messi was in another ominous run of form during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile, but was left out of the 2-0 victory against Peru due to a minor groin injury.

The Inter Miami star player resumed training on Monday and could play in the quarter-final against Ecuador in Houston on Thursday evening.

His Argentine teammate Martinez is in top form for Lionel Scaloni’s men and leads the top scorers list with four goals.

Inter Milan striker in top form for Argentina(/caption)

FORGOTTEN PREM STAR SHINES

Former Everton, Newcastle and West Brom striker Rondon is still in top form at the age of 34.

The Venezuelan caused such a stir in the group stage, winning the Best Player of the Match award in all three matches and being selected for the best team on matchday three.

Rondon has been something of a cult hero in the Premier League, but has never really made an impression. But it seems he still has plenty left in him.

Venezuela’s two goals in the group stage secured top spot in Group B, alongside Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica.

Thanks to his efforts, Venezuela will play Canada on Friday night for a spot in the semi-finals.

Salomon Rondon is in inspired form for leader Venezuela(/caption)

But Rondon doesn’t just score goals for his country, he also provides assists, as seen in the 2-1 win over Ecuador in the opening match.

His goal in the 3-0 win over Jamaica on Sunday night was his 41st in 106 appearances for his country and few would dare bet that he will not add to his tally before the tournament ends on July 14.

Rondon currently plays for Mexican side Pachuca and has scored 19 goals in 28 games in all competitions this season.

His last spell in English football was during the 2021/22 season with Everton, after which he moved to Argentine giants River Plate.

UNWANTED HOST COUNTRY HISTORY

It all started out so promisingly, but two consecutive defeats saw host country USA eliminated in the group stage.

A win over group leaders Bolivia gave Gregg Berhalter’s men the lead, but they were immediately stopped by a resurgent Panama and favourites Uruguay.

And it was Monday’s defeat to Uruguay that set hearts alight, resulting in a bizarre exchange of words between Christian Pulisic and the referee.

Christian Pulisic was furious about a series of refereeing decisions(/caption)

The former Chelsea star was furious at the many decisions that went against his team. During the final stages of the match, referee Kevin Ortega was seen on camera refusing to shake Pulisic’s hand after the American appeared to gesture something towards him.

“Honestly, I mean, I saw things today that I’ve never seen before, right in front of my eyes, that I just can’t believe,” Pulisic told reporters. “That’s not why we lost; we’re not out of this tournament because of the refereeing.”

Meanwhile, nine-time Copa America winners Brazil are through to the last eight, but they had to work hard to get there.

The Seleção started the tournament in poor form and a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica failed to allay fans’ fears.

But on matchday two they found their shooting power and beat Paraguay 4-1 thanks to two goals from Vinicius Junior and another from West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.

Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez has impressed in Uruguay’s solid start to the Copa America(/caption)

A 1-1 draw with eventual group winners Colombia saw Brazil stumble into the quarter-finals, where they face Darwin Nunez’s Uruguay.

The Liverpool striker has been in fine form for Uruguay, scoring twice in the group stage as the 15-time winners recorded a 100 percent return.

COPA AMERICA QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Argentina v Ecuador

Venezuela vs Canada

Colombia vs Panama

Uruguay v Brazil