The Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s football will kick off on 22 July 2021; Futballnews.com takes a look at the top five players to watch out for during the tournament.
Though most of the football stars in the Olympics are below 24-year-old, each of the teams in the tournament have a maximum of three overaged players.
Brazil were the winners of the last edition of Olympics men’s football and they are in this year’s edition of the tournament to defend the Gold medal they won five years ago.
In the tournament which will end on August 7, there are a couple of youngsters who could end up making a huge name for themselves through the tournament. Some of them have already been known in their clubs and countries but the Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s football could help to make them more renowned across the world.
Below are the top five players to watch out for during Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s football
- Pedri
Pedri is just 18-year-old but he made himself a star worthy of note due to his performance in the just concluded Euro 2020. The Spain international played 6 games in the tournament and wowed everyone to the extend he won the best young player of the tournament award. Hence, the 18-year-old FC Barcelona midfielder is expected to do more for Spain in Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s football.
He will have the opportunity to start showcasing himself on Thursday, July 22, when Spain face Egypt in Group C at 08:30.
- Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo is just a 19-year-old who hit the limelight during the 2020-2021 season. His knowledge of the game attracted Manchester United to sign him from Atalanta on January 2, 2021, for a transfer fee worth €21.30 million. Between January to the end of the season, the Ivory Coast right-winger has been able to play 8 times for Manchester United senior team and has recorded a goal.
Amad Diallo will have the opportunity to showcase himself in Tokyo 2020 Olympic men’s football when Cote d’Ivoire face Saudi Arabia in Group D on Thursday, at 09:30.
- Eric Garcia
Eric Garcia played three times for Spain’s national team in the just concluded European Championship. Though he had lesser games in the tournament, the performance of the 20-year-old defender was not questioned.
The Spanish defender who just left Manchester City to return to FC Barcelona this summer is expected to continue to showcase his prolific form in Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s football starting from Thursday against Egypt.
- Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli’s dream to play in Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s football will start at 12:30 on Thursday when Brazil face Germany in Group D. The 20-year-old Brazilian left-winger is expected to give his Olympic team what Arsenal will miss about him in the first two weeks of the 2021-2022 season. In last season, the winger played 23 times in all competitions for Arsenal in which he scored two goals.
- Richarlison
After failing to help Brazil win Copa America, Richarlison has been given a second chance to help the country win a football medal this summer. Recall that the 24-year-old Everton striker played 7 times in the just concluded Copa America in which he scored a goal and provided an assist. He helped Brazil to play in the final of the tournament but Argentina overpowered Brazil.
When Richarlison face Germany on Thursday, the Everton football star would have at the back of his mind that he is one of the oldest players in the Brazilian team. This could push him to become one of the biggest stars in Tokyo 2020 Olympic men’s football.
