Copa America 2016 promises to be an entertaining competition, with a number of individual stars set to feature in the US. The Copa America 2016 is a special one as the year also marks the 100-year anniversary of the historical competition, which will be played outside South America for the first time. The Unites States will host Copa America 2016 from June 3.

The competition is bigger, with 16 teams participating, which means more matches and more quality players.

Here is a look at some of the likely stars of Copa America 2016

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The Barcelona forward is, arguably, the best player in world football at present, and the Argentinean will look for his first major silverware  in national colours. Messi scored 26 goals in the recently concluded La Liga season, but what also impresses most about his play is the number of opportunities he provides for his players. Argentina, who possess a number of world-class players like Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero, will look to their talismanic forward to inspire them to win their 15th Copa title.

Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Messi's teammate in Barcelona, Suarez, had one of the best seasons of his career, scoring 40 goals in the La Liga, which was more than Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. Such a goalscoring record reflects his ominous form, but Suarez may not take part in the group stages of the competition, after suffering a thigh injury against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final last month. Uruguay, pitted in Group C with Mexico, Venezuela and Jamaica, should make it to the knockouts, where Suarez is expected to be fit. If Suarez is able to bring his Barcelona form to the US, Uruguay will be the team to watch in the knockout stages.

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Defending champions Chile played some great football in front of their home fans last year, with Arsenal star Sanchez leading from the front. Can he help his team to their second Copa America title? The answer is yes, he can, but it is not going to be easy. Sanchez loves to play an attacking game, taking on defenders, and using his pace to outrun defenders, which needs to be on show in the US for Chile. The Arsenal player, who scored 13 goals in EPL 2015-16, also has to inspire players like Arturo Vidal and others to give their best, and script another historic title.

Willian (Brazil)

With Brazil's best player, Neymar, not featuring in the Copa America, Dunga need to find someone to inspire the team to their ninth Copa America title, which they won last in 2007. Willian will be one of the key stars Brazil can turn to as he was one of the best players for Chelsea during their disappointing season. Willian will look to provide assists to forwards like Hulk and Gabriel Barbosa with his precise crosses and balls into the danger area, and make no mistake the player can also add his name on the scoresheet as well.

James Rodriguez (Colombia)

The sensational player from Colombia has learned much after joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in Real Madrid, and Rodriguez has become a matured player now. With Rodrigues set to play a key role for Colombia in the Copa America, his performances can, to a certain extent, determine where they finish in the tough group, which includes US, Costa Rica and Paraguay. This Copa America could be an important competition for the Colombian player, who has not played much, of late, for Real Madrid. But, an impressive Copa America in the US might help the player earn a starting role in his club.

Javier Hernandez (Mexico)

Mexico have never won the Copa America title, and Bayer Leverkusen striker, Hernandez, needs to be at his brutal best if they are to go the full distance in the competition. Hernandez finished as the fourth highest scorer in the Bundsliga with 17 goals, so the striker will be brimming with confidence, and eager to shine for Mexico. He also scored the winning goal for Mexico, who defeated Chile on Wednesday.

Clint Dempsey (US)

The US manager Jurgen Klinsmann has huge ambitions for Copa America 2016, as he wants his team to reach the semifinal, which is a herculean task, with the number of quality teams in the competition. However, being hosts, they will want to give it their all, and their most experienced campaigner, Clint Dempsey, who has scored 21 goals for US in 52 matches, will be the player to watch. Klinsmann will hope his never-say-attitude will rub off on his teammates as well.