Goalkeeper – David Ospina (Colombia)
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A STRAIGHTFORWARD CHOICE, seeing as he only conceded one goal in the entire tournament. Ospina’s performance against Argentina in the quarter-final was particularly memorable for his brilliant double-save.
Right-back – Dani Alves (Brazil)
Originally not even picked as part of the squad, Alves ensured that Brazilian coach Dunga’s selection policies will forever be questioned after a fine individual tournament. He is one of the only Brazilian players to leave Chile with his head held high.
Centre-back – Carlos Zambrano (Peru)
The Eintracht Frankfurt defender was the rock in the heart of Peru’s sturdy defence during their route to an unlikely semi-final appearance before being sent off against Chile. Otherwise, it was a fine tournament for the 25-year-old.
Centre-back – Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina)
The wantaway Valencia defender has enhanced his reputation in this summer’s tournament with a fine showing from the back. Argentina have kept four clean sheets and he is one of the main reasons for that statistic.
Left-back – Marcos Rojo (Argentina)
The Manchester United man has been superb in both an attacking and a defensive sense throughout. He scored the opener in the five-goal drubbing of Paraguay in the semi-final and can be pleased with his tournament.
Centre midfield – Arturo Vidal (Chile)
Despite all of the understandable negativity surrounding his drink-driving shame, following Chile’s first game, Vidal has gone on to be one of the tournament’s best players. Three goals from the base of midfield is a fine contribution from the Juventus star.
Centre Midfield – Ángel Di María (Argentina)
Di María has managed to put his Manchester United woes to one side to remind us all why he is such a good player. He’s been the creative hub of the Argentinean side, registering two assists and two goals, before unfortunately having to depart the final prematurely owing to injury.
Centre midfield – Jorge Valdivia (Chile)
The man that makes the Chile attack tick has been in irresistible form. His performance against Bolivia was arguably the best individual display of the tournament and the 31-year-old has consequently enhanced his reputation this summer.
Right-sided attacker – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
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The world’s best player brought his fine form for Barcelona into the South American showpiece. He hasn’t been at his goalscoring best, finding the net just once, but he notched three assists along the way. The 28-year-old may have had a disappointing final, owing to a mixture of dogged Chilean defending and lenient refereeing to facilitate persistent fouling of the Barcelona man, but overall, he has been one of the best players in a side that narrowly failed to triumph.
Striker – Sergio Aguero (Argentina)
Another who had a quiet final, Aguero has nonetheless provided the focal point of the Pumas’ attack, scoring three goals en route to the climactic game. His movement around the box was key in providing Messi with the space in which he thrives.
Left-sided attacker – Eduardo Vargas (Chile)
The influential Chilean forward has played across the frontline throughout the tournament and his stunning goal against Peru in the semi-final was the best scored at the Copa America this year.
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy