Hidden Gems at the 2024 Paris Olympics
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Hidden Gems at the 2024 Paris Olympics

July 25, 2024No Comments


The football community often overlooks football Olympic tournaments, but many legendary players have participated in this competition at a young age and garnered global attention. Established top players have also come to the tournament to share their experience with young talents, such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrea Pirlo, Ángel Di María, and Ronaldinho.

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Spain and Brazil showcased several young players who eventually became major figures at top European clubs.

This year’s Olympics features many great footballers, making the matches in this tournament worth following. The main favorites are France (as the host of the tournament), Spain, and Argentina. These teams have brought the most super-talented young players to the tournament.

I have highlighted ten players who will be particularly interesting to follow, both in the group stage and in the playoffs. Let’s name them.

Pau Cubarsí (Spain, Barcelona)

17 yrs, 184 cm, Right-footed central defender

Last season, Cubarsí played exceptionally well for Barcelona’s first team, demonstrating top-quality skills both with and without the ball. He has a great understanding of the game and excels in one-on-one tackling situations. 

Additionally, he performs effectively in a high defensive line and calmly executes long passes into the opponent’s half under pressure. He has the potential to become one of the standout stars of the tournament.

Michael Olise (France, FC Bayern München)

22 yrs, 185 cm, Left-footed forward

After spending three years in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace, the French striker developed into a top player, leading Bayern München to acquire him for €53 million.

Olise has the potential to become the top scorer or assist provider in the tournament. With his left foot, he is capable of both scoring and delivering high-quality penetrating passes to put his teammates in comfortable positions.

Achraf Hakimi, (Marocco, Paris Saint-Germain)

25 yrs, 181 cm, Right-footed fullback

Hakimi has decided to compete in the Olympics and will definitely be a key player for his national team. Thanks to Achraf’s presence, Morocco has a chance to finish in the top three.

Even though Hakimi has missed many matches after moving to PSG due to injuries, he can still effectively cover the entire right flank. Achraf will undoubtedly contribute top-notch tackling, interceptions, and goal-scoring abilities to support his team.

Tanner Tessmann, (USA, Venezia)

22 yrs, 187 cm, Right-footed central midfielder.

The American had an excellent previous season with Venezia, attracting the attention of Inter Milan. He has a very high accuracy in long passes from deep in the midfield and also possesses the ability to vigorously contest for the ball in the center of the pitch.

Tessmann has great stamina and can cover a lot of ground on the pitch, making him a box-to-box midfielder. If he performs well at the Olympics in Paris, it is likely that we will see him in the squad of a prominent European club very soon.

Julián Álvarez, (Argentina, Manchester City)

24 yrs, 170 cm, Right-footed striker.

Julián Álvarez, at the age of 24, is the most decorated player in the football tournament at the Olympic Games 2024. He has achieved victory in the World Cup 2024 and the Copa America 2024, as well as securing titles in the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup with Manchester City.

However, the Argentine striker desires a more prominent role at the club and is prepared to depart from Manchester City, where competition with Erling Haaland makes it challenging for him to shine. 

Álvarez is aiming to excel at the Olympics and potentially emerge as the top scorer, attracting interest from elite European clubs.

Alexandre Lacazette (France, Olympique Lyonnais)

33 yrs, 176 cm, Right-footed striker.

At 33 years old, Lacazette continues to score frequently, displaying an impressive ability to capitalize on opportunities. As the most experienced player at the upcoming home Olympics, he is expected to be the team’s primary leader.

Lacazette has scored 47 goals in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons. However, he is not just a goal-scoring striker; he also effectively collaborates with his teammates near the opponent’s penalty area. Undoubtedly, Alexandre is one of the main contenders for the title of top scorer in the tournament.

Fermín López (Spain, Barcelona)

21 yrs, 176 cm, Right-footed central midfielder

The young Barcelona player had the opportunity to play last season mainly due to the injuries of the main midfielders of the Catalan club.

López has shown that he is a talented player, excelling in finding space between the lines with his great first touch. He is skilled at dribbling the ball with precision, even in tight spaces.

Fermín has the potential to further improve his performance in the upcoming season and is expected to be a important player for the Spanish national team at the Olympics.

Thiago Almada (Argentina, Botafogo)

23 yrs, 171 cm, Right-footed attacking midfielder

Thiago Almada is one of the most exciting players in MLS. Known for his classy dribbling, he averages 2.8 dribbles per match with a success rate of 63%. Additionally, he makes 2.6 key passes every 90 minutes.

Almada has scored some amazing goals in the last couple of years, which has attracted the attention of European and Brazilian clubs. It will be incredibly interesting to see how he performs at the Olympic tournament.

Claudio Echeverri (Argentina, River Plate)

18 yrs, 171 cm, Right-footed attacking midfielder

Thiago Almada’s main competitor on the Olympic football team will be Claudio Echeverri, who was signed by Manchester City for €14.5 million. Echeverri will continue playing for River Plate until the end of 2024, and it’s likely that he will then move to Manchester.

Echeverri made a name for himself by scoring 5 goals in seven games at the U-17 World Cup in 2023, catching the attention of top European clubs. He was the standout player at the tournament and made his debut for River Plate in the Argentine Championship at the age of 17. 

Echeverri’s dribbling style is reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s, with his exquisite ball control, quick footwork, and sudden changes of pace. He is definitely a player worth keeping an eye on.

Désiré Doué (France, Stade Rennais)

19 yrs, 181 cm, Right-footed attacking midfielder

As I mentioned earlier, the 2024 Olympics will be an exciting event, especially for the French Olympic football team. As the host country’s representative, they will be highly motivated to win.

One standout player to watch is Désiré Doué, who has caught the attention of several top European clubs willing to pay over 50 million euros for his exceptional talent. Doué is a versatile attacker known for his impressive dribbling skills, which allow him to effectively move the ball in various positions on the field.

In the crucial matches of the tournament, Doué will undoubtedly aim to make a significant impact in the team’s attack and further solidify his reputation as a future star in European football.





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