SEATTLE - One of the most entertaining players that will star in Copa América 2024 is without a doubt the Colombian Luis Díaz. Ever since signing for Liverpool in 2022, the explosive winger has elevated his game and has become one of the key figures for the 'Tricolor.'
Born in Barrancas in 1997, Díaz shined for Junior FC before moving to Europe in 2019 for Porto FC. In three seasons with the Portuguese club, he made 125 appearances and scored 41 goals before a move to Premier League giants Liverpool in January of 2022.
Before he signed for Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool, Díaz shined for Colombia at the Copa América 2021. He finished tied in goals with Lionel Messi and became the fourth Colombian to finish as the top scorer in a Copa América edition and the first since 2001, when Víctor Aristizábal scored six goals in Colombia's title-winning campaign.
Díaz quickly became a starter for Liverpool in 2022 and even started in the UEFA Champions League final of that year. He has represented the Reds in 98 games in all competitions and in 2023-24, he had his most successful campaign for Liverpool despite injuries and other personal stuff.
The winger finished with 13 goals for Liverpool in all competitions this past season, his first double-figure campaign in English football. Out of his 13 goals, eight of them came in the Premier League and five of them were either game-tying or game-winning goals.
A player known for appearing when his team needs him most, Díaz has become a talisman for the Colombian national team and has been one of the most important players in Néstor Lorenzo's tenure with Colombia.
'Lucho' has started in 12 of Colombia's 18 games with Lorenzo as manager. He was the hero on November of last year with a brace against Brazil in a World Cup Qualifying game, his second multi-goal game for the 'Cafetaleros' after his two goals against Peru in the third-place playoff in Copa América 2021.
As the Colombian national team has been rejuvenating its ranks, the importance of Díaz with the 'Tricolor' has only increased. Copa América 2024 will be a perfect opportunity for the winger to show the continent what he is capable of and maybe guide Colombia to another deep run in the competition. Since Copa América Centenario in 2016, Colombia has reached the semifinals in two of the three editions.
Known for his speed and his direct approach, Díaz averaged almost five progressive carries per game in the Premier League this season. He also averaged 5.4 actions per game that ended up in shots, ranking among the best players in the Premier League in this regard.
In terms of 1v1 situations, only three players attempted more take-ons than the Colombian in the PL this season. Out of his 140 attempts, 48% of them were successful.
To showcase his growing importance as a key figure in the Colombian squad, Lorenzo picked him to captain the team for the first time in a friendly game against Spain back in March, assisting Daniel Muñoz for the only goal of the night.
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