Five players, ranging from Leo Messi to Evaristo de Macedo, have scored in their first Copa América appearances whilst on the books at FC Barcelona. Ahead of the tournament, which kicks off in the coming days, we look back at those players who quickly got off the mark in the international competition.
Leo Messi
Messi announced his arrival on the Copa America scene in 2007, although fans would have to wait for the future superstar to score his opening goal of the tournament. He did so against Peru, in a 4-0 win in the quarter finals. Argentina would go on to lose in the final against Brazil.
Javier Saviola
In the 2004 edition, held in Peru, Javier Saviola grabbed a hat trick in a 6-1 victory over Ecuador. They would be his only goals of the 41st Copa América, but resulted in him being the second top scorer in the competition. Argentina reached the final, where they were bested on penalties by Brazil.
Rivaldo
Two decades ago, in 1999, Rivaldo made a dream start to his Copa América participation. In Brazil's opening game, he opened his account in a 7-0 victory over Venezuela. Brazil would win the Copa América, and with five goals Rivaldo was the competition's top goalscorer. He was also named as Player of the Tournament, rounding off an excellent summer that followed on from an impressive campaign with FC Barcelona
Hugo Sotil
In 1975, Hugo Sotil represented Peru in the Copa América for the first time. He had developed a devastating partnership with Johan Cruyff at Barça, in particular in the 1974 campaign. He would pick the perfect moment in which to score his maiden goal in the international tournament: The final against Colombia, with a decisive winning strike for a trophy that remains Peru's most recent Copa América triumph.
Evaristo de Macedo
A Brazilian striker who achieved much success in the 1950s and 60s, Evaristo de Macedo scored 8 times in his debut appearance in the Copa América in 1957. He got things underway with two goals against Ecuador in a 7-1 win, and would end up being the top scorer as Brazil finished runners-up.
He played for Barça from 1956 until 1962, and was perhaps most famous for his goal in 1960 which knocked Real Madrid out of the European Cup for the first time.
Goalscorers in their first Copa America before joining Barça
Jaison Murillo (2016), Arturo Vidal (2011), Luis Suárez (2011), Alexis Sánchez (2011), Neymar (2011), Dani Alves (2007), Belleti (2001), Ronaldinho (1999), Sorín (1999), Romario (1987), Maradona (1979), Silveira (1959), Miguel Ángel Loayza (1959), Cayetano Ré (1959), Dagoberto Moll (1949), Enrique Fernández (1929) and Héctor Scarone (1917).
