Nobody expected him to be this good.

A Premier League cult hero has been the unlikely star of the 2024 Copa America, winning the Player of the Match award in all three matches he’s played in.

Some of the biggest stars in football are currently strutting their stuff at Euro 2024, but there are plenty of world class talents taking part in the Copa America too.

The 48th edition of the tournament – the South American equivalent of the European Championship – is currently taking place in the United States,

 

Along with 10 CONMEBOL (South American) sides, six members of CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) entered the tournament.

The group stage of the competition will conclude on Tuesday evening, and already there have been plenty of talking points.

Brazil appear to have recovered after a poor start, while reigning world champions Argentina won all three of their group games without conceding a goal.

 

World Cup regulars Mexico and Chile have failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, while the United States must beat a Darwin Nunez-inspired Uruguay if they are to progress from the group stage.

However, perhaps the biggest shock of the tournament is who has been the player of the tournament.

English football fans might recognise the name Salomon Rondon, not because he set the world alight at during spells with West Brom, Newcastle and Everton but because he earned a reputation as a traditional no-nonsense striker.

Salomon Rondon has scored made four goal contributions at the Copa America.

At 34 Rondon is approaching the end of his career, but at the Copa America he has rolled back the years.

 

Venezuela were the surprise winners of Group B, with Rondon playing a key role in their wins against Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica.

The striker – who made his national team debut in 2008 – provided an assist against Ecuador, scored against Mexico and then did both against Jamaica.

In all three matches, Rondon’s contributions were recognised with the Player of the Match award.

Rondon and Venezuela will face Canada in the quarter-finals on Friday evening.