Argentina’s Lionel Messi was chosen as the best player in the MLS in the United States after receiving the most votes in the 40th edition of the traditional poll ‘America responds to El País’, which chooses the most outstanding players on the continent every season.
Meanwhile, his compatriot Javier Mascherano was chosen as the best coach in the North American country and Inter Miami -the club of which they are both members- as the best team.
Soccer: The best of 2026
On this occasion, 264 journalists from 16 countries in the Americas voted in the poll conducted by the Uruguayan newspaper El País, which was a record both in terms of participation and the number of nations.
Of these, those from each country voted for the best player, best coach and best team from each of their respective countries.
In Argentina, the most voted player was Racing midfielder Santiago Sosa and the best coach was Eduardo Domínguez of Estudiantes de La Plata, while the best team was Racing.
In Brazil, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Filipe Luís and Flamengo won; in Chile, Charles Aranguiz, Esteban González and Coquimbo Unido won.
In Colombia, Hugo Rodallega, Alfredo Arias and Junior de Barranquilla; and in Ecuador, Claudio Paul Spinelli, Javier Rabanal and Independiente del Valle.
In Paraguay, Blas Riveros, Jorge Bava and Cerro Porteño won; in Peru, Alex Valera, Miguel Rondelli and Universitario won.
In Bolivia, Robson Matheus, Julio Baldivieso and Always Ready; in Venezuela, Juan Camilo Zapata, Daniel Sasso and UCV.
In Uruguay, Abel Hernández, Joaquín Papa and Nacional.
The best players in Costa Rica were Alexis Gamboa, Oscar Ramírez and Alajuelense.
In El Salvador Mario González, Ernesto Corti and Club Deportivo Luis Ángel Firpo.
In Honduras Jorge Benguché, Eduardo Espinel and Olimpia.
In Panama, Alberto Quintero, Mario Méndez and Plaza Amador.
In Mexico Paulinho, Antonio Mohamed and Toluca.
On the other hand, Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta became the new ‘King of America’ after being the most voted player in the traditional poll.
The Brazilian Flamengo midfielder won with 62.8% of the votes, while Lionel Messi finished second with 14.8% and Adrian ‘Maravilla’ Martinez was third with 5%.
For his part, Brazilian Filipe Luís became the best coach on the continent.
Champion of the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship, the Flamengo manager won with 72% of the votes.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Gustavo Alfaro (8.7%) and Gustavo Costas (5.6%) completed the podium.
Filed under: The best of 2026 in soccer
With information from EFE
