Top 10 players at the 2015 Copa America

Thanks to the wealth of talent that South America routinely pumps out, the superstars at the Copa America include several of the world's best talent. In fact, a majority of players on this list could easily be included among a list of the world's top players.

Here are the top 10 players to watch during the 2015 Copa America in Chile:

10. Javier Mascherano

Arguably the most ferocious at his craft, opposing teams will have to be aware of the immense challenge going against a team that includes Javier Mascherano and his no-nonsense style. While the defensive midfielder's work won't normally show up on the score sheet, his aggressive style should help prevent the opponents from showing up on the score sheet as well.

9. Diego Godin

Opponents are well aware of Diego Godin's presence when they go up against the rugged centre back. The Atletico Madrid defender has been an integral part of the Spanish club's rise over the past few seasons, and should help Uruguay progress far in Chile.

8. Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez's impressive season in Serie A could see the striker snap his goalless drought during Argentina's run. The striker hasn't found the back of the net for Argentina since a friendly against Albania in 2011, but could be the benefactor of a goal or two when he's featured in a squad with some of the world's most talented players.

7. Angel Di Maria

A poor season in the English Premier League shouldn't impact Angel Di Maria's impressive reputation on the international stage. The midfielder put on a great show during the 2014 World Cup and should wreak havoc yet again in his home continent with his dangerous, unpredictable runs, and ability to set-up the plethora of scoring talent on Argentina.

6. James Rodriguez

The breakout star in Brazil during the World Cup should continue his rise up the football ranks with an impressive Colombia outfit. James Rodriguez will have been heavily studied by his opponents heading into the Copa America, but it's unlikely they'll be able to contain the talented Real Madrid player. Expect another dominant showing despite the added pressure on Rodriguez.

5. Arturo Vidal

The catalyst behind Juventus' exquisite season should see his influence translate to the international level as Arturo Vidal attempts to guide his nation to glory on home soil. The midfielder will be desperate to make up for his absence at the World Cup a year earlier when he was forced to miss the tournament because of a knee injury.

4. Sergio Aguero

It's impossible to predict the heights Sergio Aguero is capable of reaching in front of arguably the best team heading into the Copa America. Marred by injuries during Argentina's runners-up performance at the World Cup, Aguero enters the South American tournament with something to prove following a season where he could have easily finished as the top scorers in England had it not been for a pair of niggling injuries.

3. Alexis Sanchez

Chile's golden boy should live up to his lofty expectations if he's able to replicate the dominant displays he's shown for club and country for the past year. The country was a revelation at last year's World Cup thanks to Alexis Sanchez's relentless style, which he then introduced to England's top flight when he joined Arsenal. Expect plenty of goals, and images of Sanchez hiking his shorts up, to the delight of the thousands of Chilean supporters in attendance.

2. Neymar

The horrors of last year's World Cup exit can never be forgotten, but they can be dimmed if Brazil hoists the Copa America trophy for the first time since 2007. Neymar will have the spotlight on him once again during the tournament as he attempts to steer the country away from that devastating night in Belo Horizonte when Brazil crashed out of their own tournament thanks to a 7-1 beat-down by Germany. The Brazilian support should be impressive, and encourage the team to an impressive showing in Chile.

1. Lionel Messi

Any team with Lionel Messi has to be favourites to lift silverware. Following Argentina's frustrating loss during the World Cup final to Germany, Messi and his teammates will be desperate to deliver at the Copa America and help capture the continental trophy for the first time in over 20 years. Perhaps the most terrifying aspect for opponents going up against the Barcelona superstar has been Messi's ability to exceed expectations when the world assumed he had already peaked. It's hard to picture a better time than the present for Argentina to break their drought at the Copa America with the talent up and down the roster.

Honorable mentions: Javier Pastore, Philippe Coutinho, Edinson Cavani, Jose Maria Jimenez, Nicolas Otamendi, Pablo Zabaleta