Arrascaeta, Messi and Racing star in race for King of America award | OneFootball

Best Player of the Americas Award to be Announced on December 31

A traditional award on the continent, the King of America announced the finalists for the 2025 edition this Tuesday (23). Arrascaeta from Flamengo and Lionel Messi from Inter Miami (USA) are the favorites. The third contender is Adrián ‘Maravilla’ Martínez from Racing (ARG). The result will be announced on December 31.

Voted the star of the Copa Libertadores de América in 2025, Arrascaeta emerges as the favorite for the award. This is because, besides shining in the campaign for the fourth title, the number 10 was ‘the man’ in Flamengo's Brazilian championship campaign, being the team's top scorer in the competition, with 18 goals and 14 assists.

However, there is a ‘lobby’ for Messi to win the trophy. As the star has never won the ‘King of America’, the Argentine press wants ‘La Pulga’ to be awarded in what could be the last chance for the Inter Miami player to compete for the trophy. This season, the star led the team to the unprecedented MLS title, the North American league.

WHAT IS THE KING OF AMERICA AWARD?

A traditional award granted by the Uruguayan newspaper ‘El País’, the King of America honors the best player who plays in the Americas in the year. Therefore, Messi, eight times voted the world's top athlete, has never received the honor, as he spent most of his career in Europe.

The election is conducted with votes from 250 journalists from various countries on the continent. Initially, the award released a list of ten names, but this Tuesday (23), the three finalists were announced. Additionally, in the top-10, other players from Flamengo appeared, such as Rossi, Danilo, Pedro, and Bruno Henrique.

HOW MANY FLAMENGO PLAYERS HAVE WON THE KING OF AMERICA?

If he wins the award, Arrascaeta will be the fifth player from Flamengo to win the award. Zico (1977, 81, and 82), Bebeto (89), Gabigol (2019), and Pedro (2022) have already placed Mengão at the top of the continent. The Uruguayan already has a bronze (2019) and a silver (2022) in his career. Is it time for gold?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.