Olympic football best XI with Pedri, Richarlison, Dani Alves and Gabriel Martinelli among stars at Tokyo Games in summer
WITH Euro 2020 now in the books, all eyes turn to the next big sporting tournament – the Tokyo Olympics. For football fans, the Games should provide a fun spectacle with 16 nations made up of mostly Under-23s stars. With the Olympics having been delayed by a year, officials have allowed Under-24s players for 2020 […]
WITH Euro 2020 now in the books, all eyes turn to the next big sporting tournament – the Tokyo Olympics.
For football fans, the Games should provide a fun spectacle with 16 nations made up of mostly Under-23s stars.
With the Olympics having been delayed by a year, officials have allowed Under-24s players for 2020 only – with THREE over-age permitted in each squad.
There are 16 nations from across the globe taking part, including giants Spain, Germany, Brazil and Argentina – with the tournament running between July 21 and August 7.
And it’s obvious the Spaniards are going for the gold, naming an exceptionally strong squad – including SIX players who were in the group for Euro 2020.
A number of world-famous stars such as Mohamed Salah have been blocked from competing in the Games due to their club commitments.
But there will still be some elite footballing stars on show.
Ahead of the Games, we take a look at the best XI of players competing for gold in the football – unsurprisingly featuring a lot of Spain stars.
GOALKEEPER – Unai Simon
THE Athletic Bilbao stopper, 24, was actually Spain’s No1 for Euro 2020 – ahead of David De Gea and Robert Sanchez, with Kepa Arrizabalaga not even in the squad.
Simon had a strong tournament – howler against Croatia aside – and will no doubt be first choice for his nation at the Olympics.
RIGHT-BACK – Dani Alves
THE former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain right-back is now 38 years old and on the books of Sao Paulo.
And Brazil hope the 118-cap international veteran will provide a calming aura for the young squad as they aim to get over their Copa American heartache with Olympic gold.
CENTRE-BACK – Pau Torres
ANOTHER member of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad who reached the semi-final, Torres, 24, is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand defenders in the world.
Torres is a near-certainty to start for the Spaniards in Tokyo, and can expect Man Utd to be keeping a close eye.
CENTRE-BACK – Eric Garcia
AND Torres will surely line up alongside Barcelona newbie and former Manchester City ace Garcia.
The centre-back, 20, also featured at Euro 2020 and is set to carry over his solid form in the Olympics.
LEFT-BACK – Marc Cucurella
MORE of a left midfielder these days, the versatile former Barcelona star is likely to start for Spain in Tokyo this summer.
The left-sided star, 22, has been in strong form for Getafe since leaving the Nou Camp and will hope to carry that into this month’s tournament having been linked with a summer move to Brighton.
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CENTRE-MID – Franck Kessie
THE Ivorian midfielder has been in strong form for AC Milan in recent seasons.
And Kessie, 24, will hope to lead a talented-looking Ivory Coast squad deep at this summer’s Olympics – with Manchester United duo Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo also named.
CENTRE-MID – Dani Ceballos
THE former Arsenal loanee has a point to prove at Real Madrid – and that will start at the summer Games.
Ceballos, 24, is likely to start for Spain in Tokyo in a star-studded midfield.
CENTRE-MID – Pedri
A SERIOUS talent, Spain’s senior boss called Euro 2020 Young Player of the Tournament Pedri, 18, more talented for his age than Andres Iniesta.
The Barcelona whizkid will look to lead Spain to Olympic glory next month – but is so young he will also be eligible for the 2024 Games in Paris.
RIGHT-WING – Marco Asensio
THE attacking midfielder has already played nearly 200 times for Real Madrid.
Despite his wealth of top-level experience, the 25-year-old has been named in the Olympic squad and could be Spain’s star man as they chase gold, despite missing out on a place in his nation’s Euro 2020 squad.
STRIKER – Richarlison
THE Everton forward has already earned 32 caps for Brazil, scoring ten goals.
Despite his experience, Richarlison is still of age to be eligible for the Tokyo Games at 24 years old and will hope to lead his side to glory.
LEFT-WING – Gabriel Martinelli
ANOTHER Brazilian, Arsenal hotshot Martinelli, 20, has bounced back from injury to look in superb form.
And he will continue his comeback in the Summer Games in Tokyo as part of a strong-looking Brazil side.
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