The Uruguayan newspaper “El País” announced in the early hours of this Tuesday (12/31) the winner of the “King of America” award. Luiz Henrique, Botafogo striker, was honored.
The club also included seven players in the selection of the best on the continent. They are: goalkeeper John, left-back Alex Telles, defender Alexander Barboza, midfielder Marlon Freitas and attackers Almada, Savarino and Luiz Henrique. Artur Jorge won as best coach.
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Who is the King of America 2024?
Luiz Henrique won the King of America award with 128 votes from 244 journalists from the continent – 52% of the total. Savarino came second, with 25 votes, and Juan Fernando Quintero, a Colombian from Argentina’s Racing, was third, with 17.
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King of America: how the continent’s team turned out
The players who make up the continent’s team are the following:
- Gol: John (Botafogo)
- Sides: Alex Telles (Botafogo) and Martirena (Racing)
- Defenders: Alexander Barboza (Botafogo) and Battaglia (Atlético-MG)
- Socks: Marlon Freitas (Botafogo), Quintero (Racing) and Léo Fernandez (Peñarol)
- Attackers: Almada (Botafogo), Savarino (Botafogo) and Luiz Henrique (Botafogo)
What is the King of America award?
The award aims to choose the best player in South America of the year. It is an honor given by the Uruguayan newspaper “El País” since 1986. Over the years, it has become the most prestigious on the continent.
All King of America Award Winners
- 2024 – Luiz Henrique – Botafogo
- 2023 – Cano – Fluminense
- 2022 – Pedro – Flamengo
- 2021 – Julián Álvarez – River Plate (ARG)
- 2020 – Marino – Santos
- 2019 – Gabriel Barbosa – Flamengo
- 2018 – Gonzalo Martínez – River Plate (ARG)
- 2017 – Luan – Grêmio
- 2016 – Miguel Borja – Atlético Nacional (COL)
- 2015 – Carlos Sánchez – River Plate (ARG)
- 2014 – Teófilo Gutiérrez – River Plate (ARG)
- 2013 – Ronaldinho Gaúcho – Atlético-MG
- 2012 – Neymar – Santos
- 2011 – Neymar – Santos
- 2010 – D’Alessandro – International
- 2009 – Verón – Students (ARG)
- 2008 – Verón – Students (ARG)
- 2007 – Salvador Cabañas – America (MEX)
- 2006 – Matías Fernández – Colo-Colo (CHI)
- 2005 – Carlos Tévez – Corinthians
- 2004 – Carlos Tevez – Boca Juniors (ARG)
- 2003 – Carlos Tevez – Boca Juniors (ARG)
- 2002 – Cardozo – Toluca (MEX)
- 2001 – Juan Román Riquelme – Boca Juniors (ARG)
- 2000 – Romário – Vasco
- 1999 – Javier Saviola – River Plate (ARG)
- 1998 – Martín Palermo – Boca Juniors (ARG)
- 1997 – Marcelo Salas – River Plate (ARG)
- 1996 – Chilavert – Vélez Sársfield (ARG)
- 1995 – Enzo Francescoli – River Plate (ARG)
- 1994 – Cafu – São Paulo
- 1993 – Carlos Valderrama – Junior Barranquilla (COL)
- 1992 – Raí – São Paulo
- 1991 – Oscar Ruggeri – Vélez Sársfield (ARG)
- 1990 – Raúl Amarilla – Olimpia (PAR)
- 1989 – Bebeto – Vasco
- 1988 – Ruben Paz – Racing (ARG)
- 1987 – Valderrama – Deportivo Cali (COL)
- 1986 – Antonio Alzamendi – River Plate (ARG)
