Held every two years, with the current version under way in Venezuela, the South American under-20 championships are a goldmine of talent.
I consider the highlight of my career catching Lionel Messi on the way up in the 2005 version in Colombia.
But there have been plenty of others - Ronaldinho and Roque Santa Cruz in 1999, Adriano and Maicon in 2001, Mascherano, Tevez and Daniel Alves in 2003, Mati Fernandez, Diego Godin and Hugo Rodallega in 2005, Alexandre Pato, Lucas, Ever Banega, Edison Cavani and Arturo Vidal two years ago - all wonderful players making a name for themselves on their way to Europe.
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There are many roads leading to Eastlands at the moment - but most of them have twists and turns before reaching the home of .
Robinho's arrival came as a surprise even to the player. Together with agent Wagner Ribeiro .
It didn't happen, and though Robinho has knuckled down to his new surroundings, the fact that he immediately parted company with Ribeiro suggests that he was not entirely thrilled about the way things worked out.
The case of Kaka is very different.
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Reader Bill Foley sent in the following question: "With regard to your recent piece on the superiority of European leagues v South American, does today's not dent your argument quite a bit with [in a ranking of the world's strongest leagues] third and fifth?"
I think the biggest dent is in the brains of those responsible for such nonsense. Both countries have been placed too high - almost all their , leaving the domestic game with youngsters on the way up, veterans on the way down and journeymen in between.
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Last week I wrote about Ronaldo's return to Brazilian football and how Corinthians are taking a gamble on his fitness.
There is no doubt that his signing is a risk, but the club have a special reason for being prepared to run it.
This year Ronaldo will have the number 99 on his back.
It is not because, in the club's white shirt, he will look like a giant ice cream. It is because Corinthians celebrate their centenary in 2010.
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I cover South American football from Brazil. There's a wealth of talent and a rich culture - a fascinating continent to follow football.
