1️⃣ player to watch from every Olympic men's team | OneFootball

It’s been just over a week since the end of the European Championship but already we’ve got another football tournament just around the corner.

This time, it’s the Olympics, with 16 men’s teams ready to fight it out for a gold medal.

Here’s our pick of one player to look out for from every side heading to Paris 2024.

Group A

France – Michael Olise

There may not be a more exciting player heading to the Olympics than Michael Olise.

The 22-year-old has lit up the Premier League over the last few seasons with Crystal Palace and now heads to Paris having secured a big-money move to Bayern Munich.

If Thierry Henry’s side are to claim the gold medal on home soil, Olise will have to have a good tournament.

United States – Tanner Tessmann

Rumours abound that Inter are keen to sign Tanner Tessmann this summer and it’s easy to see why.

The 22-year-old Venezia midfielder has impressed during his three years with the Serie B side, and heads to the Games having already bagged himself two senior USA caps to this point.

You’ll be hearing plenty more of his name in the future.

Guinea – Ilaix Moriba

It never quite worked for Ilaix Moriba at Barcelona and his switch to RB Leipzig failed to completely reignite his burgeoning career either.

But two successful loan spells to Valencia and Getafe over the past couple of seasons have seen the 21-year-old mature into the graceful midfielder he was supposed to be.

With 23 senior caps for Guinea already, he’s an established international heading into this tournament.

New Zealand – Ben Waine

Although his move to Championship side Plymouth hasn’t entirely worked out, Ben Waine simply loves playing for New Zealand.

The 23-year-old striker has netted 13 goals in 26 games for the All Whites Under 23’s and senior side and will surely fancy his chances of adding to that tally over the summer.

Group B

Argentina – Thiago Almada

After starring in MLS with Atlanta United for the past two seasons, Thiago Almada has secured a move to Botafogo in Brazil and is ready to take his particular talents to the world stage, with a transfer to Lyon expected to follow soon.

A tricky attacker in the truest sense, Argentina have a real gem on their hands here who could guide them to their third goal medal at the Games.

Morocco – Abde Ezzalzouli

Another former Barcelona man who played 12 times for the Blaugrana between 2021 and 2023 but has since found a permanent home at Real Betis.

Abde Ezzalzouli is a pacy winger who played in the last World Cup and has already bagged three times for the Morocco Under 23s in four appearances. Could he add to that tally in the coming weeks?

Iraq – Youssef Amyn

Youssef Amyn actually played youth level football for the German national team but has played for Iraq since 2023, scoring on his debut against the Dominican Republic.

Amyn was Iraq’s leading player at the Under 20 World Cup last summer and is likely to be the attacker leading the charge for the Middle East nation this time around too.

Ukraine – Vladyslav Veleten

One of Ukrainian football’s bright young things, Vladyslav Veleten has already scored two goals in his five Under 23 appearances so far.

A hard-running midfielder with an eye for a pass, Veleten has be the key to unlock defences for coach Ruslan Rotan.

Group C

Uzbekistan – Eldor Shomurodov

Uzbekistan have qualified for their first ever men’s Olympic tournament and are calling up the big guns.

Senior captain Eldor Shomurodov has been given the nod, having already earned 73 caps for Uzbekistan and netted 40 goals.

Spain – Pau Cubarsí

Spain may have just won the European Championship but a new breed of young talent could well win the gold for La Roja in Paris.

Leading the next generation is Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí who was actually unlucky to be left out of the EURO 2024 squad despite being only 17 years of age.

Like his club teammate Lamine Yamal at the Euros, he will be the youngest player at the Olympics.

Egypt – Ahmed Sayad

One of Egypt’s two overage players alongside former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny, Ahmed Sayad should add some footballing smarts to this Pharaohs squad alongside a delicious final ball from out wide.

Sayad has already played 42 times for the senior side and despite coming off an injury last term, still managed nine goal involvements in 14 games for Zamalek.

Dominican Republic – Edison Azcona

A number 10 in the truest form, Edison Azcona may have dropped down the divisions in American soccer but can still count himself as one of the leading lights for this Dominican Republic side heading to Paris.

Azcona was part of the Inter Miami squad that won the Leagues Cup in 2023 but having fallen down the pecking order, has been plying his trade, and impressing, in the USL Championship with Las Vegas Lights this past season.

Group D

Japan – Shunsuke Mito

It’s been six months since Shunsuke Mito arrived in Europe and in that six months that diminutive midfielder has proven himself to be one of the most exciting Japanese players to come along in a long time.

At only 1.63m, Mito is one of the smallest players in all of Europe’s top leagues but the Sparta Rotterdam man has taken the Eredivisie by storm, already playing 18 times since joining from Albirex Nigata in January.

You’ll have a lot of fun watching him this summer.

Paraguay – Diego Gómez

Alongside Michael Olise, Paraguay sensation Diego Gómez is arguably the other player who you simply have to watch at these Games.

The 21-year-old has been a revelation for his national side since last year, captaining from midfield and finishing as top scorer, with five, at the recent CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.

Watch Gómez this summer before it’s cool to do so.

Mali – Boubacar Traoré

Mali come into this Olympic tournament boasting a squad full of young talent playing all over Europe and beyond.

But perhaps the most crucial cog in their wheel is Wolves midfielder Boubacar Traoré.

The 22-year-old has been a key part of Gary O’Neil’s side this past season and will be the first name on the team sheet for Les Aigles.

Israel – Oscar Gloukh

Gloukh is a barrel-chested 20-year-old with pace to burn who has starred all season-long in Austria for Salzburg.

If Israel are to qualify in this tough group, then he needs to hit the ground running.