The Champions League tournament may be over but fear not, fútbol fans — Copa América starts Thursday and runs through July 4, bringing together South America’s best national teams to compete for that coveted CONMEBOL trophy on Chile’s home turf.
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But the Chileans (and every other team, for that matter) should watch their backs: Word on the field is that Argentina is looking to make up for their World Cup loss to Germany in 2014 — or at least that’s what the team’s captain Lionel Messi has been telling reporters.
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But it’s not a proper soccer tournament without some catchy Latin tunes (and in some cases, some controversy — just ask Colombian rapper Kevin Roldan). So in the spirit of the region’s most important competition, let’s revisit some of the most famous soccer anthems in recent years and vote for your favorite below.
“Cup of Life” by Ricky Martin
“Do you really want it?” Ricky asked in this official 1998 FIFA World Cup song, arguably the best soccer anthem of them all, which set the bar impossibly high for everyone else to come.
“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” by Shakira
We are still practicing Shak’s epic moves from this official 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem, which we played well beyond the tournament in South Africa that year. Some South African artists wondered why a local artist wasn’t chosen to sing the anthem, but to that we say: This is the World Cup, after all, and there are few pop artists, if any, with more global appeal than Shakira.
“We Are One (Ole Ola)” by Pitbull
This official 2014 FIFA World Cup anthem was underwhelming in the ears of many, but undeniably catchy if you ask us. And who doesn’t love to whistle along to a soccer anthem? There was no lack of star power, thanks to Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte.
“Un Sueño” by Nicky Jam
“Thank you Colombia for making me feel at home, this is a small token of my appreciation to you,” wrote the Puerto Rican reggaeton star recently when unveiling the official Colombian national team’s anthem for this year’s Copa America tournament.
“Al Sur del Mundo” by Noche de Brujas
Get used to this tropical-flavored tune, because it’s the official Copa America song for 2015, sung, fittingly, by a Chilean group.
“Creo en América” by Diego Torres
This official 2011 Copa America song was a beautiful pan-Latin hymn of unity and appreciation for the continent, featuring Brazilian star Ivete Sangalo and Colombia’s Choc Quib Town.