Football superstars competing at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 include the best female player in the world and the reigning Copa America 2024 champion.
After Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024, the Paris Olympic Games are the last international competition in the summer-filled football calendar. Unfortunately, most of the world's best male players will not compete in the French capital due to the competition's age restrictions; each team must include only under-23s, excluding three players. The women's competition, however, is not without the same obstacles, and is full of outstanding, must-see stars, including the reigning Ballon d'Or winner.
Here is a breakdown of the top five soccer players, men and women, competing at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.
5. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
PSG has given Achraf Hakimi permission to represent Morocco at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The right-back has 66 caps and nine goals for his country, and will bring a wealth of experience to his squad this summer.
Coming off a successful season with PSG that ended with another Ligue 1 title and French Cup triumph, Hakimi will be looking to help his country advance to Group B, which includes Argentina, Iraq and Ukraine.
4. Marta (Brazil)
Marta is one of the best female soccer players of all time, and a complete icon of Brazil. The 38-year-old is Brazil's top scorer with 118 goals, and holds the record for most goals in the World Cup with 17.
Marta will play in her sixth Olympics this summer, and will look to extend her tournament scoring record; He is the first player, male or female, to score points in five consecutive Olympic Games. The legend already has two silver medals, but is still chasing his first gold.
3. Alexia Putellas (Spain)
Alexia Putellas will look to secure her first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Barcelona captain already has an award for almost every person and team in soccer, including two Women's Ballon d'Or awards, three Champions League titles, and a World Cup; an Olympic medal would be the perfect addition to his large trophy cabinet.
Several injuries have plagued Puellas over the past few years, including a devastating ACL injury ahead of Women's Euro 2022, but she has worked her way back into match fitness and will be a key player for Spain in Paris, even if only for a few minutes.
2. Julian Alvarez (Argentina)
Fresh from winning the Copa America 2024 with Argentina, Julian Alvarez will go on to represent his country at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Manchester City man scored twice in the United States this summer, including the winner to send La Albiceleste to the Copa America 2024 final.
Alvarez's experience, both in Argentina and Manchester City, will be a welcome addition to the young squad heading to the French capital. If Alvarez and his supporting cast play their way, they could win Argentina's first gold medal since 2008.
1. Aitana Bonmati (Spain)
Aitana Bonmati is the winner of the Women's Ballon d'Or and is the frontrunner to win the award for the second year in a row after her great year at Barcelona. The midfielder has scored 14 goals in all competitions in the 2023/24 season, including a Champions League final winner, and will look to continue with his elite club in Paris this summer.
Fortunately, Bonmati had no problem translating his game to the big international stage. In fact, she won the Golden Ball at the 2023 Women's World Cup for her contributions to Spain's victorious campaign.
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