Brazil won the Olympic gold in football at Tokyo 2020, with Argentina expected to dominate at Paris 2024. Argentina has a wealth of talent in their squad, managed by former international midfielder Javier Mascherano. The Brazilians defeated Spain in the final last time, with Mexico claiming bronze. The men’s football tournament in Paris will start on July 24, before the official opening of the Olympic Games.
Julian Alvarez, a Manchester City forward, stands out as the star of the tournament. The 22-year-old helped City win multiple trophies in his first season, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. Born in Cordoba, Argentina, Alvarez joined City in 2022 and was selected for the 2020 Olympic team. He recently won the Copa America and aims to add an Olympic gold medal to his list of achievements.
Michael Olise, a forward who recently moved from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich for a reported $65 million, is another player to watch. Born in London, Olise has played for various English clubs before making a name for himself at Palace. With Nigerian and French-Algerian heritage, he chose to represent France. Thiago Almada, an attacking midfielder playing for Botafogo in Brazil, could surpass all others at the Olympics. The 23-year-old has shown promise and may soon move to French club Lyon.
Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace will lead the line for the French team. He has scored 22 Premier League goals and joins Olise in representing France. Achraf Hakimi, a defender who helped Morocco reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022, is also a key player in the tournament. With experience at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain, Hakimi brings skill and talent to the Moroccan squad.
The upcoming Olympics in Paris promise to showcase some of the best football talents from around the world. With players like Alvarez, Olise, Almada, Mateta, and Hakimi, fans can expect exciting matches and standout performances. Follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated Paris 2024 Olympics tournament page for news, features, and live text commentary on selected football fixtures. Brazil’s success at Tokyo 2020 and Argentina’s expected dominance in Paris 2024 highlight the competitive nature of international football and the talent present in South America.
