Nothing Separating Messi & Neymar in the Copa America Top Scorers Odds

Lionel Messi began his charge for the golden boot as he scored a sublime free kick in Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Chile. The Argentine will, however, want to be at his best for the tournament as he still searches for his first major international honour with his national team, and it could well be his last Copa America in doing so.

Messi was in great form before the Chile game as well, scoring 30 goals and providing nine assists for Barcelona this season. Having been partially rested at the end of the season with Barcelona, Messi will be wanting to carry Argentina to the Copa America and avenge the final loses of 2015 and 2016.

The legend of the game is 3/1 to claim the Lionel Messi Copa America top scorer

Neymar also begun the tournament in fine form bagging himself a goal and an assist against Venezuela. Neymar was key as Brazil won the previous edition of the Copa America in Brazil and will want to put on another show in his home country. The fact he does have better quality around him compared to Messi means he will likely have more chances come his way.

Neymar will also want to show the world that he is still at the peak of his talent as he is coming off a poor season with PSG where he spent most of the time on the sidelines only scoring nine goals and providing five assists in Ligue 1, as PSG handed the title to Lille while also crashing out of the Champions League.

Given he is now 28, the Brazilian legend is heading into his 'peak years' and this might be just as good as a chance as the last time to win the title. Neymar also begun the tournament in fine form bagging himself a goal and an assist against Venezuela.

Neymar Copa America top scorers odds are at 2/1

After moving to Atletico Madrid from Barcelona last summer after being deemed surplus to requirements with Barca, Suarez was a key piece of the Atleti team that would go on to lift the LaLiga trophy. Suarez scored 21 goals in 32 for Atletico Madrid to help them lift their first LaLiga trophy since 2014 and he will want to continue this form to help Uruguay win their first Copa America since 2011.

This will also likely be one of Suarez’s last chances to show that he can still perform on the big stage and potentially win another international honour with Uruguay. The Uruguayan will turn 35 in January and will only have the 2022 World Cup left, so this summer is the only realistic chance Suarez has left to win another trophy with Uruguay.

Lautaro Martinez is coming off a very impressive season for Inter Milan scoring 17 goals and providing six assists as Inter won their first Scudetto in 10 years. The 23-year-old will be wanting to continue this form with his national as he looks for his first piece of silverware with Argentina, as he may end up being Inter's main man next season, with Romelu Lukaku potentially departing.

Martinez has the added advantage of Messi as his teammate so it is likely that the striker will have a lot of chances come his way. However, Martinez will have to be more clinical as there were times last season where he missed big chances for Inter. So, if he is to compete for the top scorer, he will have to become more clinical and his odds are 8/1.

The poster boy for football in Brazil already got his name on the score sheet against Venezuela, scoring a late goal to make it 3-0. After a rough time in Europe, Gabriel Barbosa has re-found his form in Brazil at Flamengo and has been a key piece in their recent successes.

Gabriel is yet to play in the Serie A for Flamengo this season, but when he has played in the Copa Libertadores, he has six goals in six games, so he is in form heading into the Copa America. The fact that Gabriel also has a positive on-field relationship with Neymar means that, like Martinez for Argentina, will force Gabriel to have a lot of chances come his way.

This would make Gabriel an outsider for the Copa America top scorer odds, but he has the pedigree to compete with the best for it.

By Jack Meenan