WHaving won the MLS Cup, made Inter Miami one of the continent’s best teams and set a new record for assists, Lionel Messi has capped off an extraordinary 2025 for his cause. Fortunately for the other players, the Argentine did not monopolize all the honors for the year, as was the case with the “King of America.”
The traditional award given by El Pais newspaper to the best South American soccer player as voted for has a new monarch. Giorgián de Arrascueta is a Uruguayan player and is currently a Flamengo player.
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The 40th edition of El Pais awarded the Uruguayan athlete with 67.8% of the votes. He defeated Messi, who received 39% of the votes, and third place “Maravilla” Martinez. Thus, De Arrascaeta finished in 3rd and 2nd place in the 2021 and 2024 editions, respectively. A total of 179 sports journalists registered to vote. The majority agreed that the Uruguayan had a dream year with club and country, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
De Arrascaeta played 69 games for Flamengo in 2025, scoring 28 goals and providing 19 assists. He won the titles of Campeonato Carioca, Supercopa do Brasil, Campeonato Brasileiro and Copa Libertadores.
He was a true marshal of the team, guiding all his teammates on the same path – nationally and internationally. Flamengo will start 2026 as a club to beat, with the aim being to add trophies to their showcase.
Carlos Sanchez’s last charhua
It took 10 years for a Uruguayan soccer player to win the “King of America” award again. The last player to win the award was Carlos Sanchez in 2015, when he was recognized for his outstanding year in a River Plate shirt.
