Copa America 2024: Brazil Leads in Minutes Played
Brazil is the team arriving at the Copa America in the United States with the most accumulated minutes per player on average, followed by Mexico and Costa Rica, their Monday opponents; while Venezuela, Peru, and Jamaica are the most rested teams.
The Canarinha will debut in the continental tournament at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium with an average of 47.8 matches and 3,678 minutes per player, according to data from the BeSoccer platform. Coach Dorival Júnior's 26-man squad is predominantly composed of players from the Premier League and LaLiga, where the calendar has been relentless.
Eight players come from the Premier League: Alisson, Gabriel Magalhães, Andreas Pereira, Bruno Guimarães, Douglas Luiz, João Gomes, Lucas Paquetá, and Gabriel Martinelli. The Premier League exemplifies an extremely packed schedule, including league matches, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and European competitions.
Six Brazilians play in LaLiga: Yan Couto, Éder Militão, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Savinho, and Vinícius Júnior. The three Real Madrid players arrive from a successful yet exhausting season where they featured in almost every possible match, securing LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Despite having the squad with the most accumulated minutes, Brazil also averages fewer international caps per player, at 17.7, compared to the experience of, for example, Argentina, with 46.5.
In terms of physical exertion, following Brazil are Mexico (46.2 matches and 3,349 minutes on average per player), Costa Rica (46.7 - 3,328), and Argentina with Lionel Messi (44.5 - 3,224).
Out of the 16 competing teams, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Colombia rank seventh, tenth, and eleventh respectively in terms of physical workload, which could provide an advantage especially in the later rounds.
The least physically taxed teams since July 1, 2023, are Venezuela, Peru, and Jamaica, in that order. Venezuela showcased their freshness in the first matchday of Group B by coming from behind to defeat Ecuador 2-1, scoring two goals in the final half-hour of the match.
