10- Luis Bolaños (LDU Quito & Ecuador)
Bolaños has emerged
as one of the most exciting Ecuadorian attackers in decades. He was
instrumental as Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito lifted the Copa
Libertadores for the first time, and although the club were losing
finalists of the FIFA Club World Cup, Luis Bolaños found the back of
the net with a terrific free-kick against Pachuca in the semi-finals.
The speedy winger is expected to move to Europe in the near future,
with Spain a likely destination.
9- Miranda (São Paulo & Brazil)
Miranda consolidated
himself as one of the best centre backs in Brazil last season, when he
put on a number of solid displays, as São Paulo claimed a record third
successive Campeonato Brasileiro. The tall 24-year-old was loaned out
to the Brazilian giants from French side Sochaux, and his outstanding
form hasn't gone unnoticed, as several top European clubs, including AC
Milan have shown great interest in his purchase. A bright future with
the Seleção surely awaits him.
8- Claudio Morel Rodríguez (Boca Juniors & Paraguay)
The Paraguayan
Player of the Year experienced wide success in 2008. Not only did he
help Boca Juniors win the Apertura Championship, but he was a key
member of the Paraguayan national team that lead the 2010 World Cup
qualifiers. Morel is a class act, the 30-year-old defender has only
ever played for two clubs before, and his consistency and fighting
spirit has earned his praise around the entire continent. According to
recent reports he has received lucrative offers from Italy, Spain,
Greece and Mexico.
7- Douglas Costa (Grêmio)
At the tender age of 18, the
Grêmio attacking midfielder is destined for superstar status when he
eventually moves to Europe. He is an exciting left-footed player, and
his tremendous talent has led to comparisons with AC midfielder
Ronaldinho, who also shone with Grêmio before moving abroad. Grêmio are
hoping to keep the player to contest the 2009 Copa Libertadores, but
as several high-profile clubs like
Real Madrid and Manchester United are willing to pay big money for his
services, that may not happen.
6- Alex (Internacional & Brazil)
Alex played a key
role as Internacional claimed the Copa Sudamericana for the very first
time, scoring some decisive goals along the way. Arguably one of the
most exciting attacking midfielders in the Campeonato Brasileiro, much
is expected of Alex when he makes his highly anticipated move to one of
Europe's top clubs. In October he made his Brazilian national team
debut, and at 26 he is in a perfect age to fight for a first team
place. Perhaps his greatest quality is his long-range shooting accuracy.
5- Pablo Barrientos (San Lorenzo)
The attacking
midfielder was the main reason why San Lorenzo came so close to winning
the Argentine championship last season. He was by far the club's most
influential player, particularly towards the end of the season, and he
received rave reviews from the local press, to the extent that Diego
Maradona has affirmed that he could well be a key player of the
Argentine national team in the future. Having gained valuable
experience during two seasons at FC Moscow, Barrientos finally reached
his full potential at San Lorenzo, and a move to one of Europe's top
clubs is a big possibility.
4- Lucas Viatri (Boca Juniors)
Since becoming a
first team regular at Boca Juniors last season, Viatri has proved to be
one of the deadliest finishers in South America, and an extremely
bright prospect for the future. He is a player who rises to the big
occasion, and he demonstrated this by scoring vital goals last season,
including the winner as Boca edged arch-rivals River Plate 1-0 in the
Argentine Superclásico. Viatri finished as Boca's top scorer last
season, and at only 21 much is expected of him in the following years.
Without doubt his greatest quality is his incredible heading ability.
3- Sebastián Battaglia (Boca Juniors & Argentina)
Last season
Battaglia experienced the most successful year in his entire career at
a personal level. The 28-year-old was in extraordinary form as Boca
Juniors clinched the Apertura Championship, playing at a consistently
high level, and being detrimental in Boca's title triumph. Battaglia,
who returned to Boca in 2005 after a short stint with Villarreal, is
arguably one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and he is
set to return to Europe this year. It has been reported that AC Milan
and Manchester United are after his signature.
2- Radamel Falcao García (River Plate and Colombia)
The Colombian
international is arguably the most sought after striker in South
America at the moment. He played a key role as River Plate won the
Clausura Championship, and although River finished in bottom place of
the following Apertura Championship, he was their only standout
performer. His outstanding performances haven't gone unnoticed, as he
has attracted envious glances from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester
United, and AC Milan. When Falcao moves to Europe he is
destined for superstar status.
1- Hernanes (São Paulo and Brazil)
Having played a
crucial role as São Paulo clinched a record third successive
Campeonato Brasileiro, a bright future surely awaits Hernanes in
Europe, whether he finally accepts to join Spanish giants Barcelona or
not. Hernanes is pure class, and his incredible ability is likely to
earn him a permanent place in the Brazilian national team in the near
future. The "Craque" of the Brazilian championship is perhaps the
greatest talent to have emerged in 2008.
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