Forget about the Euros and Copa America—football is making its grand return at the 2024 Paris Olympics! The tournament kicks off on Wednesday at 2 pm with Uzbekistan facing Spain and Argentina squaring off against Morocco.
This Olympic football spectacle will continue until just a week before the Premier League season starts.
Get ready for a whirlwind of thrilling matches and captivating storylines featuring some of the biggest names in the sport.
For the men’s tournament, keep an eye on Julian Alvarez from Manchester City. Fresh from Argentina’s Copa America win, the 24-year-old is aiming to add Olympic gold to his impressive resume.
His teammates, Nicolas Otamendi, Geronimo Rulli, and Thiago Almada, are also strong contenders, making Argentina a team to watch. Their coach, Javier Mascherano, brings Olympic experience from his gold medal wins in 2004 and 2008.
France is another team to watch, led by the 33-year-old Alexandre Lacazette, who’s still a goal machine with 53 goals in his last two seasons with Lyon.
Joining him are Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise, now with Bayern Munich. France’s squad will be managed by Thierry Henry, a legendary striker with 417 career goals.
Spain, the Euro 2024 champions, boast a formidable lineup with Sergio Gomez, Eric Garcia, and young talents like Pau Cubarsi and Alex Baena. With 16 teams divided into four groups, even the less-fancied teams have standout players.
For Guinea, Naby Keita is a key figure, while Egypt’s Mohamed Elneny will be representing his new club, Elneny FC.
Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Leeds’ Junior Firpo from the Dominican Republic also add to the excitement.
Keep an eye on Chelsea’s Gabriel Slonina for the USA, Boubacar Traore for Mali, and Brighton’s Julio Enciso for Paraguay.
The women’s tournament is shaping up to be an incredible showcase of talent. Marta, arguably the greatest female footballer of all time, will be leading Brazil as she bids farewell to international play.
With six FIFA World Player of the Year awards, Marta continues to make an impact with Orlando Pride.
Challenging her legacy is Aitana Bonmati, the current Ballon d’Or winner from Barcelona.
Spain’s squad also includes stars like Alexia Putellas, Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, and Jenni Hermoso.
They’ll be aiming for a drama-free tournament after the controversy surrounding the 2023 World Cup.
For a thrilling striker to watch, look no further than Barbra Banda.
The Zambian forward, who joined Orlando Pride for a record fee, scored two hat-tricks at the last Olympics and holds the record for the most goals by an African player in Olympic history.
Young talents are also shining, with Colombia’s Linda Caicedo making waves at Real Madrid. Alexandra Popp, Germany’s icon with 139 caps and 67 goals, will also be a player to watch.
France’s Eugenie Le Sommer, the all-time top scorer for her country, and her teammate Wendie Renard, with 14 league titles, are set to dazzle.
Unfortunately, Team GB won’t be participating, as the Lionesses missed out on qualification despite a decisive win against Scotland.
But if you’re a Women’s Super League fan, the Australian team features Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, and Kyra Cooney-Kross, among other Super League stars.
Chelsea fans can also find comfort in watching Emma Hayes, who will be managing the USA in her debut tournament as a coach.
TDPel Media
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