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South American Footballer of the Year

Annual football award

Annual football award

The Rey de América ("King of America"), often referred to as the South American Footballer of the Year, is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo, which awarded it from 1971 to 1992. Uruguayan newspaper El País took over from 1986 onwards, and their award was considered official, but El Mundo continued their award until 1992.

Originally for the El Mundo award, journalists could vote for any South American and Central American players at any club around the world. From 1986 the El País award became official and only South American players playing in South America were eligible. From 1998, eligibility extended to South Americans playing in Mexico due to the participation of Mexican clubs in the Copa Libertadores.

From 1980 to 1983 the Argentinian newspaper El Gráfico also chose their El Futbolista De América ("Footballer of the Americas"). Any South American player playing the Americas at any point in the year was eligible.

The inaugural winner was Tostão of Cruzeiro. Three players have won the award three times each: Elías Figueroa of Internacional, Zico of Flamengo, and Carlos Tevez of Boca Juniors and Corinthians; Figueroa and Tevez did so in consecutive years. As of 2024, Brazilian players have won the most awards (18), with Argentinian players a close second with 16 wins. Argentine club River Plate have had the most winners with nine awards. The most recent recipient of the award is Giorgian de Arrascaeta, playing for Flamengo in 2025.

Winners

''El Mundo'' award (1971–1985)

The award was officially awarded by newspaper El Mundo to the best South American footballer between 1971 and 1985. El Mundo continued their award until 1992, but it may not considered official. it was open to any South American player, no matter where they play.

YearRankPlayerTeamPoints
19711stBrazil TostãoBrazil Cruzeiro24
2ndArgentina José Omar PastorizaArgentina Independiente21
3rdArgentina Luis ArtimeUruguay Nacional19
19721stPeru Teófilo CubillasPeru Alianza Lima41
2ndBrazil PeléBrazil Santos32
3rdBrazil JairzinhoBrazil Botafogo28
19731stBrazil PeléBrazil Santos54
2ndArgentina Miguel Ángel BrindisiArgentina Huracán43
3rdBrazil RivellinoBrazil Corinthians33
19741stChile Elías FigueroaBrazil Internacional39
2ndBrazil Marinho ChagasBrazil Botafogo26
3rdArgentina Carlos BabingtonGermany SG Wattenscheid 0922
19751stChile Elías FigueroaBrazil Internacional50
2ndArgentina Norberto AlonsoArgentina River Plate24
3rdUruguay Fernando MorenaUruguay Peñarol23
19761stChile Elías FigueroaBrazil Internacional–
2ndBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo–
3rdBrazil RivellinoBrazil Fluminense–
19771stBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo–
2ndBrazil RivellinoBrazil Fluminense–
3rdChile Elías FigueroaChile Palestino–
19781stArgentina Mario KempesSpain Valencia78
2ndArgentina Ubaldo FillolArgentina River Plate59
3rdBrazil DirceuMexico América48
19791stArgentina Diego MaradonaArgentina Argentinos Juniors80
2ndParaguay Julio César RomeroParaguay Sportivo Luqueño40
3rdBrazil FalcãoBrazil Internacional29
19801stArgentina Diego MaradonaArgentina Argentinos Juniors89
2ndBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo37
3rdUruguay Waldemar VictorinoUruguay Nacional22
19811stBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo–
2ndArgentina Diego MaradonaArgentina Boca Juniors–
3rdBrazil JúniorBrazil Flamengo–
19821stBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo78
2ndBrazil FalcãoItaly Roma46
3rdArgentina Diego MaradonaSpain Barcelona31
19831stBrazil SócratesBrazil Corinthians59
2ndArgentina Ubaldo FillolArgentina Argentinos Juniors30
3rdBrazil ÉderBrazil Atlético Mineiro29
19841stUruguay Enzo FrancescoliArgentina River Plate–
2ndArgentina Ubaldo FillolBrazil Flamengo–
3rdArgentina Ricardo BochiniArgentina Independiente–
19851stParaguay Julio César RomeroBrazil Fluminense–
2ndUruguay Enzo FrancescoliArgentina River Plate–
3rdArgentina Claudio BorghiArgentina Argentinos Juniors–

Unofficial ''El Mundo'' award (1986–1992)

YearRankPlayerTeamPoints
19861stArgentina Diego MaradonaItaly Napoli–
2ndBrazil CarecaBrazil São Paulo–
3rdMEX Hugo SánchezSpain Real Madrid–
19871stColombia Carlos ValderramaColombia Deportivo Cali–
2ndParaguay Roberto CabañasColombia América Cali–
3rdUruguay Antonio AlzamendiArgentina River Plate–
19881stUruguay Rubén PazArgentina Racing Club–
2ndUruguay Hugo de LeónUruguay Nacional–
3rdBrazil Geovani SilvaBrazil Vasco da Gama–
Brazil Cláudio TaffarelBrazil Internacional–
19891stArgentina Diego MaradonaItaly Napoli–
2ndUruguay Ruben SosaItaly S.S. Lazio–
3rdBrazil BebetoBrazil Vasco da Gama–
19901stArgentina Diego MaradonaItaly Napoli–
2ndArgentina Claudio CaniggiaItaly Atalanta–
3rdColombia René HiguitaColombia Atlético Nacional–
19911stArgentina Gabriel BatistutaItaly Fiorentina–
2ndArgentina Claudio CaniggiaItaly Atalanta–
3rdChile Iván ZamoranoSpain Sevilla–
19921stArgentina Diego MaradonaSpain Sevilla32
2ndBrazil BebetoSpain Deportivo La Coruña31
3rdBrazil RaíBrazil São Paulo25

''El Gráfico'' award (1980–1983)

From 1980 to 1983 El Gráfico gave out their Footballer of the Americas award.

YearRankPlayerTeamPoints
19801stArgentina Diego MaradonaArgentina Argentinos Juniors485
2ndBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo292
3rdArgentina Ubaldo FillolArgentina Argentinos Juniors120
19811stArgentina Diego MaradonaArgentina Boca Juniors572
2ndBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo524
3rdPeru Julio César UribePeru Sporting Cristal131
19821stBrazil ZicoBrazil Flamengo381
2ndArgentina Diego MaradonaSpain Barcelona296
3rdUruguay Fernando MorenaUruguay Peñarol214
19831stBrazil SócratesBrazil Corinthians286
2ndArgentina Ubaldo FillolArgentina Argentinos Juniors251
3rdUruguay Rodolfo RodríguezUruguay Nacional144

''El País'' award (1986–present)

From 1986, the South American Footballer of the Year was named by El País. Only South American players of South American clubs are eligible.

YearRankPlayerTeamPoints
19861stUruguay Antonio AlzamendiArgentina River Plate–
2ndBrazil CarecaBrazil São Paulo–
3rdParaguay Julio César RomeroBrazil Fluminense–
19871stColombia Carlos ValderramaColombia Deportivo Cali56
2ndUruguay Obdulio TrasanteUruguay Peñarol27
3rdUruguay José PerdomoUruguay Peñarol25
19881stUruguay Rubén PazArgentina Racing Club–
2ndUruguay Hugo de LeónUruguay Nacional–
3rdUruguay José Pintos SaldanhaUruguay Nacional–
19891stBrazil BebetoBrazil Vasco da Gama74
2ndBrazil MazinhoBrazil Vasco da Gama42
3rdColombia René HiguitaColombia Atlético Nacional34
19901stParaguay Raúl Vicente AmarillaParaguay Olimpia57
2ndUruguay Rubén da SilvaArgentina River Plate32
3rdColombia Leonel ÁlvarezColombia Atlético Nacional25
Colombia René HiguitaColombia Atlético Nacional
19911stArgentina Oscar RuggeriArgentina Vélez Sarsfield44
2ndArgentina Ramón DíazArgentina River Plate28
3rdChile Patricio ToledoChile Universidad Católica23
19921stBrazil RaíBrazil São Paulo55
2ndArgentina Sergio GoycocheaParaguay Olimpia24
3rdArgentina Alberto AcostaArgentina San Lorenzo20
Argentina Fernando GamboaArgentina Newell's Old Boys
19931stColombia Carlos ValderramaColombia Junior46
2ndBolivia Marco EtcheverryChile Colo-Colo30
3rdBrazil CafuBrazil São Paulo28
Colombia Freddy RincónBrazil Palmeiras
19941stBrazil CafuBrazil São Paulo36
2ndParaguay José Luis ChilavertArgentina Vélez Sarsfield35
3rdArgentina Gustavo Adrián LópezArgentina Independiente22
19951stUruguay Enzo FrancescoliArgentina River Plate34
2ndArgentina Diego MaradonaArgentina Boca Juniors28
3rdBrazil EdmundoBrazil Flamengo24
19961stParaguay José Luis ChilavertArgentina Vélez Sarsfield80
2ndUruguay Enzo FrancescoliArgentina River Plate69
3rdArgentina Ariel OrtegaArgentina River Plate41
Colombia Carlos ValderramaColombia Junior
19971stChile Marcelo SalasArgentina River Plate87
2ndPeru Nolberto SolanoPeru Sporting Cristal39
3rdParaguay José Luis ChilavertArgentina Vélez Sarsfield37
19981stArgentina Martín PalermoArgentina Boca Juniors73
2ndParaguay Carlos GamarraBrazil Corinthians70
3rdParaguay José Luis ChilavertArgentina Vélez Sarsfield63
19991stArgentina Javier SaviolaArgentina River Plate55
2ndParaguay Francisco ArceBrazil Palmeiras45
3rdArgentina Juan Román RiquelmeArgentina Boca Juniors42
20001stBrazil RomárioBrazil Vasco da Gama67
2ndArgentina Juan Román RiquelmeArgentina Boca Juniors64
3rdColombia Óscar CórdobaArgentina Boca Juniors53
Argentina Martín PalermoArgentina Boca Juniors
20011stArgentina Juan Román RiquelmeArgentina Boca Juniors88
2ndColombia Óscar CórdobaArgentina Boca Juniors59
3rdBrazil RomárioBrazil Vasco da Gama41
20021stParaguay José CardozoMexico Toluca39
2ndUruguay Sergio ÓrtemanParaguay Olimpia32
3rdUruguay Alejandro LemboUruguay Nacional30
20031stArgentina Carlos TevezArgentina Boca Juniors73
2ndParaguay José CardozoMexico Toluca39
3rdBrazil DiegoBrazil Santos33
20041stArgentina Carlos TevezArgentina Boca Juniors76
2ndArgentina Javier MascheranoArgentina River Plate56
3rdArgentina Lucho GonzálezArgentina River Plate37
Brazil RobinhoBrazil Santos
20051stArgentina Carlos TevezBrazil Corinthians77
2ndUruguay Diego LuganoBrazil São Paulo54
3rdBrazil CicinhoBrazil São Paulo37
20061stChile Matías FernándezChile Colo-Colo62
2ndArgentina Rodrigo PalacioArgentina Boca Juniors53
3rdArgentina Fernando GagoArgentina Boca Juniors50
20071stParaguay Salvador CabañasMexico América67
2ndParaguay Claudio Morel RodríguezArgentina Boca Juniors61
3rdArgentina Hugo IbarraArgentina Boca Juniors57
20081stArgentina Juan Sebastián VerónArgentina Estudiantes66
2ndArgentina Juan Román RiquelmeArgentina Boca Juniors63
3rdParaguay Salvador CabañasMexico América47
20091stArgentina Juan Sebastián VerónArgentina Estudiantes109
2ndEcuador Édison MéndezEcuador LDU Quito64
Chile Humberto SuazoMexico Monterrey
3rdArgentina Leandro DesábatoArgentina Estudiantes52
20101stArgentina Andrés D'AlessandroBrazil Internacional61
2ndArgentina Juan Sebastián VerónArgentina Estudiantes51
3rdBrazil NeymarBrazil Santos47
20111stBrazil NeymarBrazil Santos130
2ndChile Eduardo VargasChile Universidad de Chile70
3rdBrazil Paulo Henrique GansoBrazil Santos33
20121stBrazil NeymarBrazil Santos199
2ndPeru Paolo GuerreroBrazil Corinthians50
3rdBrazil Lucas MouraBrazil São Paulo21
20131stBrazil RonaldinhoBrazil Atlético Mineiro156
2ndBrazil NeymarBrazil Santos81
3rdArgentina Maxi RodríguezArgentina Newell's Old Boys79
20141stColombia Teófilo GutiérrezArgentina River Plate102
2ndUruguay Carlos SánchezArgentina River Plate49
3rdArgentina Leonardo PisculichiArgentina River Plate30
20151stUruguay Carlos SánchezArgentina River Plate182
2ndArgentina Carlos TevezArgentina Boca Juniors61
3rdEcuador Miller BolañosEcuador Emelec23
20161stColombia Miguel BorjaColombia Atlético Nacional85
2ndBrazil Gabriel JesusBrazil Palmeiras76
3rdVenezuela Alejandro GuerraColombia Atlético Nacional50
20171stBrazil LuanBrazil Grêmio182
2ndPeru Paolo GuerreroBrazil Flamengo65
3rdBrazil ArthurBrazil Grêmio46
20181stArgentina Pity MartínezArgentina River Plate130
2ndColombia Juan Fernando QuinteroArgentina River Plate49
3rdArgentina Franco ArmaniArgentina River Plate40
20191stBrazil Gabriel BarbosaBrazil Flamengo168
2ndBrazil Bruno HenriqueBrazil Flamengo83
3rdUruguay Giorgian de ArrascaetaBrazil Flamengo40
20201stBrazil MarinhoBrazil Santos80
2ndArgentina Ignacio FernándezArgentina River Plate59
3rdParaguay Gustavo GómezBrazil Palmeiras57
20211stArgentina Julián ÁlvarezArgentina River Plate59
2ndBrazil Gabriel BarbosaBrazil Flamengo45
3rdParaguay Gustavo GómezBrazil Palmeiras30
20221stBrazil PedroBrazil Flamengo68
2ndUruguay Giorgian de ArrascaetaBrazil Flamengo64
3rdArgentina Julián ÁlvarezArgentina River Plate34
20231stArgentina Germán CanoBrazil Fluminense167
2ndUruguay Luis SuárezBrazil Grêmio40
3rdUruguay Nicolás de la CruzArgentina River Plate8
20241stBrazil Luiz HenriqueBrazil Botafogo128
2ndVenezuela Jefferson SavarinoBrazil Botafogo28
3rdColombia Juan Fernando QuinteroArgentina Racing Club17
20251stUruguay Giorgian de ArrascaetaBrazil Flamengo179
2ndArgentina Lionel MessiUSA Inter Miami39
3rdArgentina Adrián MartínezArgentina Racing Club12

Wins by player

Player1st2nd3rd
BRA Zico3 (1977, 1981, 1982)2 (1976, 1980)
ARG Tevez3 (2003, 2004, 2005)1 (2015)—
CHI Figueroa3 (1974, 1975, 1976)—1 (1977)
ARG Maradona2 (1979, 1980)2 (1981, 1995)1 (1982)
URU Francescoli2 (1984, 1995)2 (1985, 1996)—
BRA Neymar2 (2011, 2012)1 (2013)1 (2010)
ARG Verón2 (2008, 2009)1 (2010)—
COL Valderrama2 (1987, 1993)—1 (1996)
ARG Riquelme1 (2001)2 (2000, 2008)1 (1999)
PAR Chilavert1 (1996)1 (1994)2 (1997, 1998)
PAR Romero1 (1985)1 (1979)1 (1986)
URU de Arrascaeta1 (2025)1 (2022)1 (2019)
BRA Pelé1 (1973)1 (1972)—
PAR Cardozo1 (2002)1 (2003)—
URU Sanchez1 (2015)1 (2014)—
BRA Gabriel1 (2019)1 (2021)—
BRA Cafu1 (1994)—1 (1993)
ARG Palermo1 (1998)—1 (2000)
BRA Romario1 (2000)—1 (2001)
PAR Cabañas1 (2007)—1 (2008)
ARG Álvarez1 (2021)—1 (2022)
BRA Tostão1 (1971)——
PER Cubillas1 (1972)——
Argentina Kempes1 (1978)——
BRA Sócrates1 (1983)——
Uruguay Alzamendi1 (1986)——
Uruguay Paz1 (1988)——
BRA Bebeto1 (1989)——
Paraguay Amarilla1 (1990)——
Argentina Ruggeri1 (1991)——
BRA Raí1 (1992)——
CHI Salas1 (1997)——
ARG Saviola1 (1999)——
CHI Fernández1 (2006)——
ARG D'Alessandro1 (2010)——
BRA Ronaldinho1 (2013)——
COL Gutiérrez1 (2014)——
COL Borja1 (2016)——
BRA Luan1 (2017)——
ARG Martínez1 (2018)——
BRA Marinho1 (2020)——
BRA Pedro1 (2022)——
ARG Cano1 (2023)——
BRA Luiz Henrique1 (2024)——

Wins by nationality

CountryPlayersTotal
1518
1216
55
55
35
34
11

Wins by club

ClubPlayersTotal
ARG River Plate89
BRA Flamengo46
ARG Boca Juniors34
BRA Santos33
BRA Internacional24
BRA São Paulo22
BRA Vasco da Gama22
BRA Corinthians22
ARG Vélez Sársfield22
BRA Fluminense22
ARG Argentinos Juniors12
ARG Estudiantes12
PER Alianza Lima11
MEX América11
BRA Atlético Mineiro11
COL Atlético Nacional11
BRA Botafogo11
CHI Colo-Colo11
BRA Cruzeiro11
COL Deportivo Cali11
BRA Grêmio11
COL Junior11
PAR Olimpia11
ARG Racing11
MEX Toluca11
ESP Valencia11

Women's awards

''El País'' award (2021–present)

From 2021, the South American Footballer of the Year was named by El País, with the accolade being named Reina de América.

YearRankPlayerTeamPoints
20211stBrazil TamiresBrazil Corinthians30
2ndColombia Catalina UsmeColombia América de Cali29
3rdBrazil Gabi ZanottiBrazil Corinthians20
20221stColombia Linda CaicedoColombia Deportivo Cali76
2ndBrazil Bia ZanerattoBrazil Palmeiras21
3rdArgentina Yamila RodríguezBrazil Palmeiras20
20231stBrazil PriscilaBrazil Internacional34
2ndBrazil MilleneBrazil Corinthians31
3rdBrazil Bia ZanerattoBrazil Palmeiras23
20241stBrazil Gabi ZanottiBrazil Corinthians34
2ndBrazil Gabi PortilhoBrazil Corinthians31
3rdBrazil Vic AlbuquerqueBrazil Corinthians23

Wins by player

Player1st2nd3rd
BRA Gabi Zanotti2 (2024, 2025)—1 (2021)
BRA Tamires1 (2021)——
COL Linda Caicedo1 (2022)——
BRA Priscila1 (2023)——

Wins by nationality

CountryPlayersTotal
34
11

Wins by club

ClubPlayersTotal
BRA Corinthians23
COL Deportivo Cali11
BRA Internacional11

References

References

  1. "South American Coach and Player of the Year".
  2. "Best soccer player in America ("El Mundo" of Venezuela)".
  3. "El Gráfico Américas player of the year (1980-1983)".
  4. "Best soccer player in America ("El Mundo" of Venezuela)".
  5. "Best soccer player in America ("El Mundo" of Venezuela)".
  6. "South American Coach and Player of the Year".
  7. "South American Player of the Year 1971".
  8. "South American Player of the Year 1972".
  9. "South American Player of the Year 1973".
  10. "South American Player of the Year 1974".
  11. "South American Player of the Year 1975".
  12. "South American Player of the Year 1976".
  13. "South American Player of the Year 1977".
  14. "South American Player of the Year 1978".
  15. "South American Player of the Year 1979".
  16. "South American Player of the Year 1980".
  17. "South American Player of the Year 1981".
  18. "South American Player of the Year 1982".
  19. "South American Player of the Year 1983".
  20. "South American Player of the Year 1984".
  21. "South American Player of the Year 1985".
  22. "South American Player of the Year 1986".
  23. "South American Player of the Year 1987".
  24. "South American Player of the Year 1988".
  25. "South American Player of the Year 1989".
  26. "South American Player of the Year 1990".
  27. "South American Player of the Year 1991".
  28. "South American Player of the Year 1992".
  29. "El Gráfico Américas player of the year (1980-1983)".
  30. "South American Coach and Player of the Year".
  31. "South American Coach and Player of the Year".
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