The footballer who has overtaken Messi as South American Player of the Year 2025

W ith the conquest of the MLS Cup to place Inter Miami as one of the best teams on the continent and with a new record in the area of assists, Lionel Messi closed an extraordinary 2025 for his cause. Fortunately for other players, the Argentine did not monopolize all the year's accolades, as we see with 'the King of America'.

The traditional award given by the newspaper El Pais to the best South American footballer by means of a vote has a new monarch. It is the Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta, current Flamengo player.

In its 40th edition, El Pais recognized the Uruguayan after he obtained 67.8% of the votes. He beat Messi, who recorded 39%, and 'Maravilla' Martinez, third in the voting. In this way, De Arrascaeta was able to leave behind the 2021 and 2024 editions when he finished third and second respectively. A total of 179 sports journalists made up the voting register. The majority agreed that the Uruguayan had a dream year with his club and with his national team qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

With Flamengo, De Arrascaeta played 69 matches in 2025. He scored 28 goals and registered 19 assists. He won the following titles: Campeonato Carioca, Supercopa do Brasil, Campeonato Brasileiro and Copa Libertadores.

He was a true marshal in his team to guide all his teammates on the same path: to transcend nationally and internationally. Flamengo will start 2026 as the club to beat and whose purposes are greater to add trophies to its showcase.

Carlos Sanchez, the last Charrua

A decade had to pass for another Uruguayan footballer to win the 'King of America' award. The last to win it was Carlos Sanchez in 2015 when he was recognized for the great year he had wearing the River Plate shirt.