Endrick, Kendry Paez and the NXGN teenage wonderkids to watch at Copa America 2024

Venezuela head into Copa America with low expectations, but in Kervin Andrade they have a young playmaker who has the potential to become a star of the national team in years to come.

The 19-year-old, who plays his club soccer in Brazil for Fortaleza, has only made one appearance at international level with his debut coming back in March, but his presence in the Copa squad suggests coach Fernando Batista is keen to give the attacking midfielder some tournament experience.

Argentina's squad for the Copa isn't markedly different from that which won the World Cup in 2022, but a couple of young talents have emerged in recent years and forced their way into the picture. One of those is Valentin Carboni, whose performances in Serie A have secured his place on La Albiceleste's roster.

An attacking midfielder who can play centrally or wide on the right, Carboni impressed on loan at Monza this past season having come through the ranks at Inter, and the Nerazzurri hope to raise up to €30 million (£25m/$32m) this summer by selling the teenager this summer.

Carboni only turned 19 in March, and he has already received the seal of approval from Lionel Messi, who told TyC Sports that the youngster has "a great present and future" after he caught the eye in the team's final warmup friendly against Guatemala.

Canada are under new management for Copa America as Jesse Marsch takes charge of his first competitive fixtures, and the American could yet give youth a chance this summer after naming Luc de Fougerolles to his final roster.

At 18, London-born De Fougeroulles is a product of the Fulham academy, and made his first-team debut for the English club this past season in the Carabao Cup, while he was also named to the bench on multiple occasions in the Premier League.

A centerback with the versatility to fill in at either fullback position, De Fougerolles has only made one appearance for Canada thus far, but could become a key squad member this summer thanks to his ability to play multiple positions.

Aside from Messi, there may not be player with more eyes on them at this summer's Copa America than Endrick. The Brazil wonderkid entered the consciousness of soccer fans around 18 months ago when he agreed to join Real Madrid in a deal worth up to €72m (£61m/$77m). As he prepares to finally move to Santiago Bernabeu in the coming weeks, this will be the first opportunity for supporters outside of his homeland to get a prolonged look at "the new Pele."

The 17-year-old is slated to lead the line for the Selecao in the U.S. having already proven he can handle the step up to international soccer by scoring three goals in his last four appearances, including late winners against England and Mexico as well as an eye-catching strike against Spain.

Whether Endrick will be able to live up to the hype at what is his first tournament remains to be seen, but if the teenager is able to handle the pressure, then he could provide the X-factor that Brazil might need to get over the line.

Though he will be the youngest player at this edition of the Copa America, Kendry Paez promises to play a key role for one of the dark horses in Ecuador having established himself as one of the top young talents on the planet over the past year or so.

The 17-year-old broke the record for the youngest player to score in South American World Cup qualifying back in October and is already a veteran of almost 50 appearances for club side Independiente del Valle, where he is already regarded as one of the Ecuadorian league's top players.

So sought after is Paez that Chelsea have already secured a £17m ($21m) deal to bring the playmaking midfielder to Stamford Bridge, and he will complete his switch to the Premier League once he turns 18 next May.

Costa Rica have suffered something of a drop off since their run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2014 and have been drawn into a difficult group at Copa America alongside Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay, but there is excitement surrounding the potential of wide forward Andy Rojas.

The 18-year-old, who plays his club soccer for Herediano in his homeland, only made his international debut at the start of June, but wasted no time in making a name for himself, as Rojas found the net to become the youngest Costa Rica player to ever score in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

That impact is likely to make him a useful option off the bench this summer for Gustavo Alfaro's unfancied team.