Flamengo’s Uruguayan player, “Giorgian de Arrascaeta,” won the title of Best Player in South America for 2025. The Spanish newspaper “El País” awarded this prestigious prize, which it has been presenting since 1986.
De Arrascaeta prevailed in the competition against both the Argentinian legend “Lionel Messi,” player for Inter Miami in the USA, and “Adrian Martinez,” player for Racing Club of Argentina.
It is worth mentioning that the selection of the best player in South America is made from among the professional players in clubs in the North and South American continents.
De Arrascaeta received the majority of the votes, garnering 179 votes out of a total of 264, significantly surpassing Messi, who received only 39 votes.
During the 2025 season, Arrascaeta managed to score 25 goals and provide 20 assists in 64 official matches.
De Arrascaeta also achieved several titles, including the Carioca Championship (Rio de Janeiro State Championship), the Brazilian Super Cup, the Brazilian League, the Copa Libertadores, the Copa América, and the Challenge Cup.
Meanwhile, Messi led his team Inter Miami to win the American League title for the first time in the club’s history, scoring 43 goals and providing 26 assists in 49 matches.
De Arrascaeta is considered the first Uruguayan player to win this award since 1995, when “Enzo Francescoli” won it.
