Copa América: A look back at Ligue 1's influence on the 2024 tournament

Another crown for the GOAT

Tagliafico, of course, was joined by several face familiar to followers of Ligue 1. Former Paris Saint-Germain players Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, and of course, the legendary duo of Ángel Di Maria and Lionel Messi. While Messi was forced off injured in his country's win in the final, Di María rolled back the years, playing 117 minutes and winning the Man of the Match award in the final in what is, at 36, expected to be his final appearance for his country. 

What a tournament for James Rodriguez ❤️🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/HGPwqISBXG

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 15, 2024

Rodriguez's renaissance

Their task in the final was made all the more difficult by another familiar face, Colombia's James Rodriguez. The former AS Monaco winger was integral to Los Cafeteros' progression to the final, showing that while he may be playing his club football in Brazil these days, he's still a force with which to be reckoned. Rodriguez scored just one goal for his side, but would set a tournament record by delivering six assists, helping his team reach the final for the first time since their win in 2001. 

CANADA, PANAMA EXCEED expectations

While neither country took home a trophy, both were incredibly impressive over the course of the tournament. Along with the ten CONMEBOL teams, six teams from CONCACAF played in the tournament as guests. The United States and Mexico, driven on by passionate fan bases and a cadre of young stars, were expected to make the biggest splash, but neither even made the knockout rounds, passing the proverbial torch to Canada and Panama. While Panama suffered a heavy defeat to Colombia in the quarterfinals, they impressed in getting out of a group that included the US and Uruguay, with Michael Murillo of Olympique de Marseille scoring a spectacular goal against Uruguay.

Canada, playing in their first Copa ever, would do even better, knocking out Venezuela in the quarterfinals on penalties -- with Jonathan David of LOSC Lille and Ismaël Koné of OM both holding their nerve in the shootout before losing to Argentina in the semifinals. David would finish the tournament with two goals -- the same as the USMNT and AS Monaco's Folarin Balogun, showing the world that Jesse Marsch's side was more than up to the task!