The Rey del Fútbol de América ("King of Football of America"), often referred to as the South American Footballer of the Year, is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper '' El Mundo'', which awarded it from 1971 to 1992. Uruguayan newspaper '' El País'' took over from 1986 onwards, and their award was considered official, but '' El Mundo'' continued their award until 1992. Originally for the '' El Mundo'' award, journalists could vote for any South American and Central American players at any club around the world. From 1986 the '' El País'' award became official and only South American players playing in South America were eligible. From 1998, eligibility extended to South Americans playing in Mexico due to the participation of Mexican clubs in the Copa Libertadores. From 1980 to 1983 the Argentinian newspaper '' El Gráfico'' also chose their El Futbolista De América ("Footballer of the Americas"). Any South American player playing the Americas at any point in the year was eligible. The inaugural winner was

Tostão Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade (born 25 January 1947), generally known as Tostão, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward or attacking midfielder. Tostão was an intelligent, hardworking and prolific left-footed f ...

of Cruzeiro. Three players have won the award three times each:

Elías Figueroa Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander (born 25 October 1946) is a Chilean former footballer who played for several clubs during his long career, notably his hometown club Santiago Wanderers, Brazilian club Internacional and Uruguayan club Peñarol. ...

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, Zico of

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, and

Carlos Tevez Carlos Alberto Tevez (; born 5 February 1984) is an Argentine professional football manager and former player. A quick, tenacious, powerful, hard-working and dynamic forward in his prime, Tevez was capable of playing as a striker, as a wing ...

of Boca Juniors and

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; Figueroa and Tevez did so in consecutive years. As of 2021, Brazilian players have won the most awards (16), with Argentinian players a close second with 15 wins. Argentine club River Plate have had the most winners with nine awards. The most recent recipient of the award is Julián Álvarez of River Plate, who won in the 2021 season.

Winners

''El Mundo'' award (1971–1985)

The award was officially awarded by newspaper '' El Mundo'' to the best South American footballer between 1971 and 1985. ''El Mundo'' continued their award until 1992, but it isn't considered official.

Unofficial ''El Mundo'' award (1986–1992)

''El Gráfico'' award (1980–1983)

From 1980 to 1983 '' El Gráfico'' gave out their Footballer of the Americas award.

''El País'' award (1986–present)

From 1986, the South American Footballer of the Year was named by '' El País''.

Wins by player

Wins by nationality

Wins by club

References

External links

Diario ''El Mundo''

Diario ''El Pais''
{{DEFAULTSORT:South American Footballer of the Year South American football trophies and awards *South Awards established in 1971