Top 24 in 2024. The best footballers in North America according to Dailysports

Football news 14 jan 2025, 01:30
Luis Torres Luis Torres Dailysports's expert
Top 24 in 2024. The best footballers in North America according to Dailysports Getty Images

Our team has already prepared three articles about the best footballers of 2024. This time, we bring you another piece from this series.

This installment from Dailysports is titled "Top 24 in 2024" and highlights players from South America.

24. Miles Robinson (USA, Cincinnati)

The key center-back for his team, Robinson joined Cincinnati as a free agent from Atlanta United. Last season, he played 33 matches across all competitions, helping the team secure third place in the Eastern Conference and advance to the playoffs. However, the club was eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 0-1 loss to New York City FC. Robinson did not participate in the Copa América but represented the USA at the Olympic Games, where the team reached the quarterfinals. He played all four matches in the tournament.

Miles Robinson

23. Luis Malagón (Mexico, Club América)

A goalkeeper performing strongly in Mexico, Malagón featured in 53 matches across all competitions last season. He conceded 44 goals and kept 24 clean sheets. His contributions were instrumental in Club América winning the Mexican championship for a record 16th time. Currently, he remains the club's first-choice goalkeeper, with 26 matches this season, including seven clean sheets. While Malagón plays for the Mexican national team, he is not their starting goalkeeper.

Luis Malagón

22. Richie Laryea (Canada, Toronto)

At the start of 2024, Laryea joined Toronto FC but suffered an unfortunate injury that sidelined him for two months. Upon his return, he managed to play 17 matches, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Despite not being a regular starter for his club, Laryea plays a significant role for the Canadian national team. He featured in all six matches at the Copa América, helping Canada reach the tournament's final stages and secure fourth place. Additionally, he contributed to Canada's run to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Richie Laryea

21. Amir Murillo (Panama, Marseille)

Last season, Murillo moved from Anderlecht to Marseille. He started as a regular but suffered an injury at the beginning of 2024, returning only in early April. Overall, he played 25 matches and scored three goals. While the club's performance last season was underwhelming, finishing eighth, the current situation is vastly different. Marseille now sits second in the league, with Murillo being a key player. He has featured in 17 matches across all competitions this season, registering one assist. Murillo is also a cornerstone of Panama's national team. During the Copa América, he helped his side reach the quarterfinals and finish among the top eight teams.

Amir Murillo

20. Yunus Musah (USA, Milan)

Musah transferred from Valencia to Milan and quickly established himself as an important midfielder for the Italian side. He played 40 matches last season, contributing two assists, and helped Milan secure a second-place finish in Serie A. Over the summer, the Rossoneri changed head coaches twice, but Musah remained a vital part of the starting lineup.

This season, he has played 19 matches in all competitions and won his first trophy with Milan, claiming the Italian Super Cup after a 3-2 victory over Inter in the final. Musah is also a regular for the US national team, although their Copa América campaign ended in disappointment. However, in the CONCACAF Nations League, he helped the team reach the semifinals.

Yunus Musah

19. Tyler Adams (USA, Bournemouth)

Adams joined Bournemouth but initially struggled to secure a starting role, partially due to recurring injuries. Last season, he managed to play only four matches. For the US national team, Adams was a key player during the 2024 Copa América. This season, he has appeared in ten matches for Bournemouth, but injuries continue to hinder his ability to perform consistently. Nevertheless, when on the pitch, Adams delivers solid performances.

Tyler Adams

18. Folarin Balogun (USA, Monaco)

Balogun joined Monaco and secured a starting position with his new team. Last season, he played 32 matches across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists. Monaco finished the season in second place. He started the current season well, featuring in ten matches and scoring three goals.

Unfortunately, Balogun suffered an injury in October, made a brief return, but was injured again in early December. He is expected to be back in action by spring 2025. For the US national team, Balogun was one of the few bright spots during their disappointing Copa América campaign, scoring two goals in three matches, although it wasn't enough to reach the playoffs.

Folarin Balogun

17. Brandon Vázquez (USA, Monterrey)

In early 2024, Vázquez moved from Cincinnati to Mexico, where he earned significant playing time with his new team. He played 40 matches across all competitions, scoring ten goals and recording one assist. Vázquez helped Monterrey reach the final of the Liga MX Apertura, but the team fell short of claiming the trophy. As the new season approaches, Monterrey is once again among the contenders for the league title.

Brandon Vázquez

16. Héctor Herrera (Mexico, Houston Dynamo)

Despite being 34 years old, Herrera remained a key player for Houston Dynamo last season. He played 28 matches, scored two goals, and provided five assists. Houston finished fifth in the Western Conference and put up a strong fight against Seattle in the playoffs, but ultimately lost in a penalty shootout. After three years with Houston, Herrera has moved back to Mexico, where he will now play for Toluca.

Héctor Herrera

15. Tajon Buchanan (Canada, Inter/Club Brugge)

Buchanan started last season at Club Brugge, playing 20 matches and scoring three goals. His potential caught the eye of Inter, and he moved to Italy in January. Buchanan made ten appearances for his new team and scored his debut goal for the Nerazzurri. With Inter, he won the Serie A title. Over the summer, he played three matches for Canada at the Copa América but suffered a serious injury in early July. He returned to action in late October and has since made five appearances for Inter as he works his way back to full fitness.

Tajon Buchanan

14. Sergiño Dest (USA, PSV)

Dest transferred from Milan to PSV in the summer of 2023 and became a key player for the Dutch giants. He fit seamlessly into the team's attacking style, playing 37 matches last season, scoring two goals, and providing seven assists across all competitions. Dest won both the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup with PSV. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe injury late in the season, tearing his cruciate ligaments. Dest, now 24 years old, is focusing on a careful recovery to regain his former level of play.

Sergiño Dest

13. Giovanni Reyna (USA, Borussia Dortmund/Nottingham Forest)

The 22-year-old remains a highly promising talent, though last season was not his most impressive. Struggling for game time at Borussia Dortmund, he moved to Nottingham Forest on loan. Across both teams, he played 24 matches and provided two assists. At the 2024 Copa América, Reyna was a starter for the US national team, appearing in three matches, though the team failed to reach the knockout stage. This season, Reyna has played nine matches and scored one goal. While not a regular starter, he is one of the first choices in squad rotation.

Giovanni Reyna

12. Raúl Jiménez (Mexico, Fulham)

Jiménez has spent the last year and a half at Fulham, where he remains an integral part of the London team. Last season, he played 29 matches and scored seven goals. He could have contributed more but was sidelined for nearly two months early in the year due to injury. Jiménez missed the 2024 Copa América, where his presence might have boosted Mexico's performance.

In the CONCACAF Nations League, he played two matches, scoring one goal and assisting another. This season, Jiménez has already made 23 appearances for Fulham, scoring ten goals. His performances have helped Fulham climb to ninth place in the league, just four points shy of a European competition spot.

Raúl Jiménez

11. Edson Álvarez (Mexico, West Ham)

Álvarez moved from Ajax to West Ham in the summer of 2023 and immediately secured a starting role with his new team. Over the course of the season, he played 42 matches in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists. During the Copa América, he appeared in one match before an injury ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament. Interestingly, that match was Mexico's only victory in the competition. Although he missed a few games at the start of this season due to injury, Álvarez returned to the starting lineup and has already played 19 matches in all competitions.

Edson Álvarez

10. Hirving Lozano (Mexico, PSV)

Lozano transferred from Napoli to PSV at the beginning of last season and established himself as a regular in the Dutch side. He made 33 appearances across all competitions, despite missing several matches due to injuries. Lozano scored six goals and provided three assists, playing a key role in PSV's Eredivisie title win. Although he missed the Copa América, Lozano has continued to perform this season, playing 12 matches in all competitions, scoring five goals, and providing two assists. Recently, he joined MLS's new club San Diego FC, becoming one of the first star signings for the team.

Hirving Lozano

9. Antonee Robinson (USA, Fulham)

Robinson has consistently delivered solid performances over the past few seasons. Last season, he played 44 matches for Fulham, including 37 of 38 Premier League games. While he did not score, he provided seven assists. Robinson was one of the few bright spots for the US team at the 2024 Copa América, where he played all three matches and contributed one assist despite the team failing to progress from the group stage.

This season, Robinson has already played 20 matches for Fulham, who have adopted a more attacking style of play, which suits his game. Remarkably, he has matched his tally from last season with seven assists already. Fulham currently sit ninth in the league, just three points away from the European qualification spots.

Antonee Robinson

8. Timothy Weah (USA, Juventus)

Weah joined the Italian giants in the summer of 2023. Despite dealing with a few injuries, he established himself as a key player for Juventus. Last season, he played 35 matches across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists, and he helped the team win the Coppa Italia. At the 2024 Copa América, Weah played two matches and registered one assist, although the US team had a disappointing tournament.

This season, injuries have continued to affect him, but whenever healthy, Weah has been a vital player. So far, he has made 19 appearances, scoring four goals and providing four assists in all competitions. At 24 years old, Weah has significant potential, especially if he can stay injury-free.

Timothy Weah

7. Weston McKennie (USA, Juventus)

Another Juventus standout, McKennie became a regular starter after his transfer to Italy. Last season, he played 38 matches for the Bianconeri, contributing ten assists and helping the team win the 2024 Coppa Italia. McKennie was also a key player for the US team at the underwhelming Copa América.

This season, he remains an important part of Juventus’ lineup, with 19 appearances, four goals, and two assists across all competitions. At 26, McKennie is an integral player for the club, and Juventus has already started negotiations to extend his contract.

Weston McKennie

6. Malik Tillman (USA, PSV)

Tillman is one of the most promising young American players. Last season, he played 40 matches for PSV, scoring nine goals and providing 15 assists, and was instrumental in their 2023/24 Eredivisie title win. This season, Tillman has become even more influential for the team, with 24 appearances, ten goals, and four assists so far. Although he was not a regular starter for the US team at the Copa América, at just 22 years old, Tillman has an incredibly bright future ahead, especially if he maintains his current level of performance.

Malik Tillman

5. Leon Bailey (Jamaica, Aston Villa)

Since Unai Emery took charge of Aston Villa, the team has been delivering excellent performances, with Leon Bailey playing a crucial role. The Jamaican forward played 52 matches across all competitions last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists. Aston Villa secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League as a result of their strong campaign.

Bailey did not feature at the Copa América, and Jamaica struggled in the tournament, failing to advance. With Bailey, they might have had a better chance at reaching the playoffs. This season, Bailey remains a key player for Aston Villa, appearing in 24 matches across all competitions with one goal and three assists. As a leader in Emery's squad, Bailey is indispensable to the current Villa setup.

Leon Bailey

4. Santiago Giménez (Mexico, Feyenoord)

The young Mexican striker is already showcasing mature and impressive football. Last season, Giménez played 41 matches for Feyenoord in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing eight assists. He finished third in the Eredivisie scoring charts. His contributions were pivotal as Feyenoord finished second in the league and won the KNVB Cup.

At the start of this season, Feyenoord claimed another trophy, with Giménez scoring twice in the Dutch Super Cup final. Currently, he has ten goals in 14 matches. At just 23 years old, Giménez is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market.

Santiago Giménez

3. Alphonso Davies (Canada, Bayern Munich)

For many years, Alphonso Davies has been a cornerstone for both Bayern Munich and the Canadian national team. He continues to deliver consistently excellent performances, and last season was no exception. Davies played 42 matches across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing six assists. While Bayern had a challenging campaign, finishing third in the Bundesliga, Davies shone brightly for Canada.

As the team’s captain, he played a key role in their fourth-place finish at the Copa América. This season, Davies remains pivotal for Bayern, featuring in 22 matches with one goal and three assists. His contributions have helped Bayern top the Bundesliga and contend for all major trophies.

Alphonso Davies

2. Jonathan David (Canada, Lille)

The year 2024 was spectacular for Jonathan David. Last season, he played 47 matches in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing nine assists. He finished as the second-highest scorer in Ligue 1 and helped Lille secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League. At the Copa América, David played all six matches and scored twice. His current season is even more impressive, with 17 goals in 28 matches, including strikes against Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Juventus. At just 24 years old, David is poised to be a top transfer target for Europe’s elite clubs this summer.

Jonathan David

1. Christian Pulisic (USA, Milan)

In the summer of 2023, Christian Pulisic made the switch from Chelsea to Milan, quickly becoming a key player for the Italian side. Over the season, he played 50 matches across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 11 assists, helping Milan secure a second-place finish. Although the 2024 Copa América was disappointing for the US team, Pulisic stood out as their best player, contributing a goal and an assist, even though it wasn’t enough to advance from the group stage.

Back at Milan, Pulisic has continued to excel, scoring ten goals in 23 matches this season. He is currently the team’s top scorer, despite Milan’s instability, with two managerial changes this season. Pulisic’s performances have been vital, consistently carrying the team with his outstanding form.

Christian Pulisic
Popular news
More news
Upcoming matches
All
Latest News
Sport Predictions
Daily Sports News, Predictions and Live Scores