Can Neymar beat Messi to the Golden Boot in Chile?

Although a member of the Argentine's supporting cast at Barcelona, Al Hain-Cole thinks the Brazil striker's top billing for the Selecao should see him steal the show

With a number of world football’s most talented attacking players on display in Chile, the Copa America 2015 promises plenty of goals.

 Inevitably expected to shine the brightest over the coming weeks, Lionel Messi is William Hill’s 3/1 (4.00) favourite to add the Golden Boot to the clean sweep of trophies he earned at Barcelona last season.

 However, while a return of 45 goals in 97 international appearances would be highly impressive for most players, it pales in comparison to the Barca star’s club record.

This is perhaps explained by an embarrassment of attacking riches that forces Messi to play a slightly more withdrawn role for La Albiceleste, with Sergio Aguero 8/1 (9.00), Gonzalo Higuain 16/1 (17.00) and Carlos Tevez 20/1 (21.00) all vying to lead the line.

 Having scored close to or over 30 goals apiece for their club sides last season, any one of that trio have the potential to overshadow their captain in a team sure to go far in the competition, although picking which one will get the nod is no easy task.

 On the other hand, while he may play second fiddle to Messi at the Nou Camp, Neymar is the undisputed star of a Brazil team set up to get the most out of his talents. With 43 goals to his name in 62 caps so far, the Selecao striker looks like a strong bet at 6/1 (7.00) to finish as top scorer this summer, particularly after scoring 13 times in the last 14 matches of the club season.

 Although also the main man for Chile, Alexis Sanchez does not hold quite so much appeal at 10/1 (11.00) considering he has found the net just four times in his previous 17 internationals.

Leading the line for Uruguay in the absence of the suspended Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani is available at 14/1 (15.00) to continue his strong PSG form in South America, the same price as a Radamel Falcao desperate to put a miserable Manchester United campaign behind him.

 With Falcao looking a shadow of his former self, Colombian team-mate Carlos Bacca looks like a better long shot at 16/1 (17.00) after grabbing 28 goals for Europa League winners Sevilla last season.