FOOTBALL is back after an agonising break following Euro 2024, at least at the Olympics.
The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Games kicks off this Friday.
However, the men’s football event will be kicking off two days ahead of schedule with opening matches taking place on July 24 and the final – or gold medal match in this case – being held on August 9.
The major difference between it and major tournaments such as the World Cup, Euros or Copa America, is the rule requiring players to be under the age of 23, barring three exceptions.
The beautiful game has been an event at every summer Olympics except for the inaugural 1896 Games and the 1932 Games, which came as an attempt to promote the then new World Cup.
Some major nations have managed to qualify, including France, Spain and Argentina, though the men’s defending champions, Brazil, won’t be there.
Despite Team GB not sending a team to the tournament– with London 2012 the exception – since the 1970s, massive stars like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Samuel Eto’o have all tasted Olympic glory.
SunSport have picked out six more stars – including some that Premier League fans will be familiar with – to keep an eye on as they aim to light up the tournament this summer.
Michael Olise – France/Bayern Munich
Crystal Palace fans will feel a pang of frustration knowing they may never see the winger at Selhurst Park again.
But Michael Olise will be wanting to show new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany what he will bring to the Allianz Arena in the new campaign.
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Naby Keita – Guinea/Werder Bremen
The former Liverpool midfielder failed to make the impact expected at Anfield despite 129 appearances, but he has relished his switch to the Bundesliga and leads his nation as an overage player in their first global tournament at this level.
Guinea will want to use it as a springboard for 2026 World Cup qualification.
Julian Alvarez – Argentina/Manchester City
The Etihad striker is missing City’s pre-season tour to the USA in a bid to add an Olympic gold medal to his World Cup and Copa America titles.
He is flying back from last week’s final in Miami to join Javier Mascherano’s squad in France, though City supporters may be concerned at his workload.
Mohamed Elneny – Egypt/Free agent
No Mohamed Salah for the Pharaohs, much to the disappointment of their fervent fans, but ex-Gunners midfielder Mohamed Elneny will hope to lead his side into the knock-out stages and possibly beyond.
Expectations are high in Cairo and Alexandria.
Achraf Hakimi – Morocco/PSG
The flying right-back starred at Qatar 2022 as Morocco became the first African semi-finalists in World Cup history, and he will skipper the side as one of the three overage players in France.
Morocco are assured of plenty of local support.
Fermin Lopez – Spain/Barcelona
Fermin Lopez and Villarreal’s Alex Baena have both jumped straight from Euro 2024 to Paris and are expecting rather more game-time than in Germany.
Barcelona starlet Lopez made a 28-minute appearance off the bench in the final group win over Albania.
