2024 Summer Olympics football stars to watch out for
![2024 Summer Olympics football stars to watch out for 2024 Summer Olympics football stars to watch out for](https://i0.wp.com/images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1968,h_1107,x_0,y_87/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3hzwa476n2h0je8yw.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1)
Europe's biggest clubs will all be at work in the next few weeks.
The Summer Olympics brings another installment of international football but with a twist. Due to team rules and regulations, all 16 men's teams competing for gold in Paris are made up of mostly stars under the age of 23.
Previous winners of the competition include Lionel Messi, Neymar and Ferenc Puskas, who have an incredible talent that could be unlocked in 2024.
Here are some of the stars who might catch the eye in France.
Castello Lukeba (France)
France are among the favorites to win in Paris under the guidance of manager Thierry Henry, with Castello Lukeba among the players who could stand out for Les Bleus. The RB Leipzig youngster is already a prolific left-back and has already won one cap for the French giants.
The athletic defender is set to make a big-money move to the Bundesliga from Lyon in 2023 and there could be more signings at the end of the Olympics. After all, there is a reason why the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have already expressed an interest in the 21-year-old, who played 41 times for Leipzig last season.
Desire Doue (France)
![Desire Doue Desire Doue](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_819,h_546,x_0,y_17/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j04xhsqbwh26rg7j.jpg)
Desiree Doue may not have been a household name to many outside France ahead of the summer transfer window, but there is a good chance the versatile midfielder will be plying his trade for one of Europe's top clubs at the start of next season. .
The 19-year-old stood out for Rennes last season with four goals and five assists in Ligue 1, making the likes of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain sit up and take notice. A strong outing in the domestic competition could add some digits to his €60 million price tag.
Rayan Cherki (France)
![Ligue 1 Uber EatsLille OSC v Olympique Lyonnais Ligue 1 Uber EatsLille OSC v Olympique Lyonnais](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1024,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j09f73p2rn5q6gj3.jpg)
A child prodigy from a young age, Rayan Cherki hasn't really lived up to expectations so far. The Lyon midfielder is an outstanding talent full of power, intelligence and tactics, but he is yet to take his game to the next level and secure a move to one of the continent's giants.
He was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea last summer and will still be on the radar of the Blues and others. A good Olympic campaign certainly won't hurt his chances of a big move.
Caleb Wiley (United States)
![Caleb Wiley Caleb Wiley](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1024,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j0gd2dh2nk1jhhxv.jpg)
Caleb Wiley has already moved to the Premier League, with relentless recruits Chelsea signing the former Atlanta United defender for £8.5m this summer.
Whether he will be sent out on loan soon remains to be seen – a move to Strasbourg seems likely – but Blues fans and Enzo Maresca will be keeping an eye on his progress in the coming weeks.
The United States defender will face an exciting France side in Group A and the 19-year-old will be aiming to impress.
Claudio Echeverri (Argentina)
![Claudio Echeverri Claudio Echeverri](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1007,h_671,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j0j94g7g4nnt5e3j.jpg)
Manchester City have been on the hunt for top South American talent in recent years and Claudio Echeverri appears to be one of the top recruits. The Premier League champions spent £12.5m on the youngster hailed as the 'next Messi', the attacking midfielder who rose to prominence in Argentina's youth teams.
His experience at the highest level, but eight goal contributions in 29 games for River Plate is not bad for a youngster. The 19-year-old will be aiming to impress Pep Guardiola ahead of the new campaign.
Ezequiel Fernandez (Argentina)
![Ezequiel Fernandez Ezequiel Fernandez](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1023,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j0n4mfgqr7vhg4by.jpg)
Ezequiel Fernandez has long been the target of Europe's top clubs but his career seems to be heading in a different direction. Previously linked with Arsenal, the Argentine midfielder could be heading to Saudi Arabia.
One of the many stars of the Boca Juniors academy, the 21-year-old would perhaps be wise to stay away from the trappings of the Saudi Pro League, especially given the immense potential he has shown in his home country.
Danylo Sikan (Ukraine)
![Danylo Sikan Danylo Sikan](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1024,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j0r0g30a4qrw7zb3.jpg)
Most of Ukraine's young talents traveled to Euro 2024 earlier this summer but the one left behind was Danylo Sikan. The 23-year-old has played seven games for the senior team but is now representing the Olympic team in Paris.
The young striker has been a regular goalscorer for Shakhtar Donetsk in recent seasons with 27 in less than 100 games. In the 2023/24 Champions League group stage, Sikan netted four goals in six games, including against Barcelona and Porto.
Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
![Pau Cubarsi Pau Cubarsi](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1024,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j0tx2526bfyt9pz7.jpg)
It's fair to say that Pau Cubarsi is not a talent to be unearthed at the Olympics. The Barca defender has already won favor with some impressive performances for the Catalan giants, including impressive displays in La Liga and the Champions League.
The 17-year-old almost made Spain's Euro 2024-winning squad earlier this summer but was cut from the starting side. Regardless, the combined star has the ability to claim glory with his country at the Olympics.
Fermin Lopez (Spain)
![Fermin Lopez Fermin Lopez](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1023,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j42jgjemsaz0wmf0.jpg)
La Masia have no limits when it comes to producing exceptional new prospects, with Fermin Lopez one off the conveyor belt. The 21-year-old has already won Euro 2024 this summer and is targeting international action in Paris.
Lopez made just one appearance for Spain in Germany but produced impressive numbers for Barca last season. 11 goals in all competitions are of interest to Man Utd, but the Spaniard will remain with La Blaugrana.
Samu Omorodion (Spain)
![Samu Omorodion Samu Omorodion](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1024,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j0whe6753sabxa59.jpg)
A familiar name to Football Manager fans, Samu Omorodion has been the talk of the town this transfer window. Chelsea reportedly made a £34.4m bid for the striker last month after the 20-year-old's eight-goal campaign for Alaves last season.
The attacking midfielder is an Atletico Madrid player despite not yet wearing a shirt and could earn a small fee for the Spanish club this summer. Leading the line for La Roja at the Olympics will be a great way to secure a lucrative switch.
Group D
Diego Gomez (Paraguay)
![Diego Gomez Diego Gomez](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1023,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j1a8fktb85vdvfft.jpg)
Playing alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets means Diego Gomez is unlikely to be the center of attention, but Inter Miami's best player is quietly blossoming. The 21-year-old has been a standout in Major League Soccer, with five goals and four assists for the Herons so far.
Gomez missed the Copa America games against Paraguay with an ankle injury and will be looking to rehabilitate in Paris. Clubs looking for a versatile midfielder should take note.
Julio Enciso (Paraguay)
![Julio Enciso Julio Enciso](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1024,h_682,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_3:2,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j3j13ssydq335z8exd.jpg)
Winner of the Premier League Goal of the Season for 2022/23, Julio Enciso is Paraguay's best hope for the new generation. The Brighton star would have started last season had it not been for injury, but he has the chance to remind the audience of his chances at the Olympics.
The 20-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or full-back, already has 17 caps for the senior team and has featured in all three of Paraguay's games at the Copa America this summer.
READ THE LATEST FEATURES AND ANALYSIS FROM 90MIN
Source link