Euro 2024 and the Copa America may have concluded, but there’s still thrilling international football to come at the Olympics Games.
The Paris 2024 action kicks off on Wednesday, with matches scheduled in seven cities across France. Both the men’s and women’s finals will take place in Paris at Parc des Princes.
Men’s Olympic squads consist of under-23 players, with up to three overage players permitted, while women’s squads have no age restrictions.
Over the years, some of the world’s biggest football stars, from Lionel Messi to Ronaldinho and Alex Morgan to Ellen White, have graced the Olympic stage.
Here, we highlight 8 players whose performances and selections could shape the football memories and medal outcomes at Paris 2024.
Aitana Bonmati (Spain)
Spain have never had a women’s team at the Olympics before, but they head to Paris as one of the favorites.
The reigning world champions have lost only twice in 14 matches since defeating England in last August’s World Cup final.
Montse Tome’s squad is filled with superstars, but all eyes will be on Aitana Bonmati, a player renowned for stepping up in the biggest moments.
After winning the Nations League with Spain and the quadruple with Barcelona this season, can the 26-year-old add an Olympic gold medal to her collection?
Julian Alvarez (Argentina)
Fresh from their Copa America triumph, Argentina are the favorites to win the men’s gold medal in Paris.
Alongside Nicolas Otamendi and Geronimo Rulli, Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez is one of Argentina’s three overage players in the squad. Coach Javier Mascherano aims to lead the country to their third gold medal.
The 24-year-old Alvarez scored 11 goals in 36 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side last season as they secured a fourth successive Premier League title.
Alvarez will miss City’s pre-season tour of the United States and the Community Shield match against Manchester United, which takes place the day after the gold medal match.
Alexandre Lacazette (France)
Thierry Henry has selected Alexandre Lacazette to captain France at their home Games.
“We all have the same ambition, to go all the way and win a medal,” the 33-year-old said. “The fact that it’s a home Games is really going to motivate us.”
The Lyon forward, who hasn’t played for his country since 2017, scored 22 goals in 35 games for the Ligue 1 club last season, demonstrating his good form.
Sevilla’s Loic Bade is another overage inclusion, along with Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, the only Premier League player in the squad.
Kylian Mbappe, who had hoped to join as an overage player, is not involved, as his new club Real Madrid did not want any of their players participating in the Games.
Naby Keita (Guinea)
Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita will captain Guinea as they make only their second appearance at the Olympics.
The Champions League winner had a challenging first season in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, playing just five times due to injury and suspension.
The 29-year-old is one of the biggest names at the Games and will aim to add to his tally of 11 goals for his country.
Barbra Banda (Zambia)
Barbra Banda became the second-most expensive women’s footballer in history when she joined Orlando Pride from Chinese club Shanghai Shengli in March.
The 24-year-old has justified her price tag, becoming the first player in NWSL history to score 11 goals in their first 11 games.
As the NWSL’s top scorer, Banda is heading to France with Zambia for her second Olympic Games.
In Tokyo, the Copper Queens’ captain made history as the first player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in Olympic history, achieving this feat in the group stage against the Netherlands and China.
Marta (Brazil)
Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer Marta will bid farewell to international football after captaining her country in Paris.
The 38-year-old plans to retire from national team duty but seeks one last shot at gold after winning silver medals at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
In Tokyo, Marta made history as the first footballer to score in five consecutive Olympic Games.
Last season, she scored five goals in 13 NWSL games for Orlando Pride. Brazil manager Arthur Elias remarked, “she’s playing well, she deserved to be on this list” for Paris 2024.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi is another high-profile player cleared to represent his country at the Olympics.
The 25-year-old will miss Paris Saint-Germain’s pre-season preparations as Morocco prepares for their eighth appearance at the summer Games.
Although Hakimi missed two penalties in a pre-tournament friendly against French side Villefranche, he is determined to lead the Atlas Lions to the final at Parc des Princes.
Tarik Sektioui’s side qualified for Paris 2024 by winning the 2023 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Fermin Lopez (Spain)
Along with Alex Baena, Fermin Lopez is one of two players from Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad heading to the Olympics.
The 21-year-old winger only featured once for Luis de la Fuente’s side in Germany but joins Barcelona teammates Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia in the Olympic squad.
Lopez had a breakout first season in La Liga, scoring 11 goals in all competitions for Xavi’s side.
Lopez and Baena are aiming to make history by becoming the first outfield players to win both the Euros and Olympic gold in the same summer.
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