Hundreds of scouts and football agents from all over the world are currently descended on the little-known Chilean city of Rancagua, around an hour’s drive south of the capital Santiago.
The reason? The South American U20 Championships is in full swing and everyone has come in search of the continent’s next superstar.
This championship has previously served as a career springboard for the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez, and it is therefore a must-watch for the biggest European clubs as they sweep the planet in search of the next big thing.
Now entering its final stage, with the top six teams from the first phase facing each other in round-robin format, the tournament will decide which four sides book a spot at the 2019 U20 World Cup, to be played in Poland in May and June.
While high temperatures and poor playing surfaces have diminished the overall quality of the competition this year – and regional giants Brazil and Argentina have put in a series of lacklustre performances – it has given players from the less traditional footballing powers a chance to stand out.
Here are five of the players who have caught the eye so far:
South American U20 Championships: Five stars to watch
Five stars to keep an eye on at the South American U20 Championships
