- The 32 teams that will take part in the March 19 draw offer several storylines to follow closely
- The draw will be broadcast live on the competition’s official YouTube channel
The CONMEBOL Sudamericana is already underway following the preliminary stage matches that determined the final teams qualified for the group stage, whose draw will take place on Thursday, March 19 at 20:00 (Paraguay time). With the 32 teams divided into eight groups, the competition will pick up pace on April 7, when action resumes in pursuit of the spots at stake for the next knockout round.
In this context, the CONMEBOL Sudamericana once again presents itself as the ideal stage for new protagonists to emerge and shape the course of the tournament. Each edition typically offers a unique blend of established stars, rising talents, and players who find in continental competition the perfect platform to take a leap in their careers. With teams from across the region and a variety of playing styles, the tournament once again promises a narrative filled with key figures capable of making the difference in decisive moments.
With the draw approaching and the group stage about to begin, we focus on five players who arrive with strong credentials to become standout names at the start of the tournament. Different stories, diverse paths, and a shared objective: to leave their mark on the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana.
Neymar
Neymar’s name is once again echoing strongly across South American football, and his presence promises to be one of the main attractions of the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana. After more than a decade in European football and a subsequent spell in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian star decided to return to the club where it all began: the historic Santos FC. His comeback at Vila Belmiro was received as an almost symbolic moment for Brazilian football, with thousands of fans celebrating the return of the idol who once dazzled the continent—winning the CONMEBOL Libertadores—before his move to FC Barcelona in 2013.
His return has not been merely emotional. In the first months since coming back, Neymar has begun to regain competitive rhythm and once again become the team’s creative hub. Despite dealing with some physical setbacks, the star has shown flashes of his trademark brilliance. He has also taken on a leadership role on the pitch in a demanding scenario, with Peixe fighting to remain in the top division.
The CONMEBOL Sudamericana thus emerges as the ideal stage for Neymar to shine once again on the continent where he first became a star. With his talent intact and the motivation to lead the club of his life in a new international journey, Brazil’s number 10 enters the tournament as one of the players capable of changing the course of a match—and perhaps even the entire competition—in a single moment.
Rodrigo Contreras
Among the forwards arriving with a sharp eye for goal is Rodrigo Contreras. The Argentine striker has emerged as one of the standout names at the start of the competition thanks to his ability to deliver in key moments. His game combines physical strength, intelligent movement inside the box, and a natural scoring instinct that often proves decisive in tight matches. In continental tournaments, where every detail can determine the outcome of a tie, teams place special value on forwards capable of turning a single chance into a goal.
Contreras proved it in his first appearance in this edition of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana, scoring twice in the derby against Atlético Nacional in the preliminary stage to secure his team’s place in the group phase. ‘El Tucu’ opened the scoring with a stunning strike from behind the halfway line and sealed the win with a third goal on a devastating counterattack. As he awaits his group stage opponents, Contreras has already emerged as one of the first major names of the 2026 edition.
Adrián Martínez
Racing’s success over the past two years has had one common denominator: the goals of ‘Maravilla’. After an impressive spell at Instituto de Córdoba, Adrián Martínez arrived at the ‘Cilindro’ in Avellaneda as a gamble at the start of 2024 and far exceeded expectations. He finished as the top scorer of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana with 10 goals and ended his first season with around 30 strikes, leading La Academia to their first international trophy in 36 years.
In 2025, he maintained his productivity, contributing 22 goals to a team that reached the semi-finals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores and the final of the domestic Clausura tournament. A key figure in Gustavo Costas’ system, his performances live up to his nickname. Martínez has built his reputation on a blend of power, determination, and clinical finishing. His playing style is a constant puzzle for defenders and a highly effective weapon for his team: he presses relentlessly, fights for every ball, and finds space even against well-organized defenses. As Racing aims for another international crown, one thing is certain: Maravilla is always there.
Kendry Páez
Everything has happened very quickly in the career of Ecuador’s rising star. Kendry Páez will only turn 19 on May 4, yet he already boasts a wealth of experience that reflects his rapid development: he emerged as a standout talent at Independiente del Valle, where he won the CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana before being transferred to Chelsea in the Premier League; he made his debut for the Ecuador national team and became a regular call-up during the World Cup Qualifiers; he was loaned to French football, gaining European minutes with Racing Club de Strasbourg, and later returned to South America to continue his growth at River Plate.
After a brief adaptation period, he became a starter following the arrival of Eduardo Coudet as River’s head coach. He featured in the 2–1 win over Huracán in Parque Patricios and was again in the starting lineup for the 2–0 victory against Sarmiento, although he had to be substituted at halftime due to physical discomfort.
The CONMEBOL Sudamericana will provide the stage to witness the development of one of the continent’s brightest prospects, who is aiming to represent his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With intelligence on the ball and refined technique to operate between the lines, Kendry combines creativity, vision, and personality to take on responsibility on the pitch.
David Romero
Finalists of the 2012 CONMEBOL Sudamericana, Tigre return to the competition after three years. Under Diego Dabove, El Matador was one of the surprises of the 2025 Argentine season and has maintained that momentum into 2026, emerging as one of the protagonists in the early stages of the Apertura. The Victoria-based side began the year with major wins over Racing Club and an impressive victory against River Plate at the Monumental. With just one defeat in the first ten rounds, Tigre has built its identity on collective solidity and a relentless attacking partnership between Ignacio Russo and David Romero.
Romero is one of the most in-form forwards on the continent: he leads the Argentine scoring charts with six goals and has created numerous chances, including two assists in the 4–1 thrashing of River. His contributions consistently translate into points: he scored in the draw against Belgrano, opened the scoring in the win over Racing, played a key role in the victory against River, netted the opener against Aldosivi, scored the first goal in the 2–2 draw with Gimnasia, and found the net again in the 1–1 against Vélez.
In outstanding form, he has become one of the revelations of the championship thanks to his scoring ability, link-up play, versatility across the attacking line, and physical power to exploit spaces. Born in Corrientes and developed at Talleres de Córdoba, ‘Rulo’ struggled for continuity early on but proved his worth during loan spells at Unión La Calera and Tigre, which ultimately decided to acquire 100% of his rights.
