Football is not the first sport many people think of every four years when the Olympic extravaganza rolls around once again. Few little boys and girls playing in fields commentate in their heads on the wonderous goal they have just scored that has seen them win… an Olympic gold medal for football.
But despite that, and contrary to what many may believe, the sport has a long and storied history with regards to the summer Games. In fact, aside from the very first Olympics, all the way back in 1896, football has only been absent once from the Games. That came in 1932, when it was decided that it should be dropped to allow the newly created FIFA World Cup, inaugurated in 1930 and then played again in 1934, to take centre stage.
Olympic Football Not Part of the FIFA Calendar
Interest in the football tournament has certainly increased a little in recent years. The women’s tournament, which was first played in 1996, is probably the most prestigious competition in the sport, after the World Cup. However, unlike that, the men’s tournament is not part of the official FIFA football calendar. This means that clubs do not have to release players to play at the Olympics.
This fact, plus the age restriction on the men’s event (players must be under 23, with squads allowed three overage players), means that the men’s Olympic football competition does not see the best footballers in the world take part. Over the years, there have been some really top-class players at the Games, either because they were young enough, or one of the select three. Either way, however, the clubs must voluntarily allow them to compete, which does not always happen.
Even so, in the 21st century alone we have seen a young Lionel Messi at the 2008 Games, Neymar played for Brazil in 2012 and led them to gold on home soil in 2016, and Zlatan Ibrahimović appeared at the 2004 Olympics. Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Thiago Silva and Andrea Pirlo are just some of the other top players to have represented their nations at the tournament.
Premier League Players at Paris 2024
The list above is reflective of the fact that it is mainly the South American nations that tend to get the biggest stars into the Olympics. That has traditionally limited the number of Premier League players to head to the Games and in 2024 there are relatively few PL stars heading to Paris.
Julian Alvarez, Argentina
Undoubtedly the highest profile footballer heading from the PL to Paris 2024 is Manchester City and Argentinian striker, Julian Alvarez. City agreed to permit him to play despite the fact that he also featured at the Copa America. Alvarez was a regular for the eventual winners of that tournament and played 97 minutes of the controversial final, also playing in the quarter final against Ecuador, which went to extra time and penalties.
Alvarez scored a penalty in the shootout win but all this extra footballer must be a concern for Pep Guardiola. Argentina will be expected to go far in Paris, so whilst players do not need to miss any PL games per se, in reality Alvarez may need some rest when he returns. Of course, taking the glass-half-full approach, the City man is young (24), played relatively few minutes for his club last term, and should be fully match sharp and fit – if not too tired – when the Premier League campaign gets started.
City’s first game is on the 18th of August, with the gold medal match at the Olympics scheduled for the 9th August. Alvarez will hope to be there and at just 24 he has already won the Copa America (twice), the World Cup, the Copa Libertadores, the Champions League and, in 2020, the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament, which took place ahead of the 2020 Games. He would love to add to that impressive collection of silverware in Paris and he looks to have every chance.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, France
Palace striker, Mateta, will play for France at his home Games, which will surely be a huge honour. None of their top players from the World Cup will be there, with the squad packed with young players on their way up. Oh, and Alexandre Lacazette, the team’s true veteran at the age of 33. Mateta is 27 and will be joined by his former Palace colleague Michael Olise, who now plays for Bayern Munich.
Lesley Ugochukwu, France
Ugochukwu will not be a familiar name to all PL fans but plays for Chelsea. The young midfielder moved to west London from Rennes in 2023 and has played for the Blues 15 times in total.
Boubacar Traore, Mali
Traore is a defensive midfielder who has represented his country at full international level. Aged just 22 he made 22 PL appearances for Wolves last term.
Alex Paulsen, New Zealand
Paulsen plays for Bournemouth and will be representing NZ at the Olympics. The Auckland native has one full international cap but aged 22 will hope to add many more to that. The Cherries signed him shortly before the start of the Games for around £900,000.
Henry Gray, New Zealand
Paulsen’s compatriot is also a PL newcomer, being on the books at newly promoted Ipswich. The German-born goalie was brought into the youth system of the Tractor Boys in June 2023 so it is safe to say that even Ipswich supporters will not be overly familiar with him.
Julio Enciso, Paraguay
Someone all supporters will be far more knowledgeable about is the hugely exciting Enciso. Tipped by some to be Brighton’s next £100m+ sale, the Paraguayan is just 20 but is incredibly skilful and even at his young age, and despite some serious injuries, he has played 17 times for the full Paraguay national team. The creative forward will hope to get more game time at Brighton in 2023/24 after injury derailed his last campaign.
Enso Gonzalez, Paraguay
Gonzalez is another Wolves player at the Olympics and the young winger will hope to get more minutes than he did at Wolves last term. The 19-year-old played just one match for the club, coming on very late at the end of the season.
Gabriel Slonina, USA
Born in Illinois, US keeper Slonina has one cap for the US national team, which is one more game than he has played for Chelsea. He was initially loaned back to Chicago Fire (whom the Blues signed him from) but spent 2023/24 in Belgian football with Eupen.
Caleb Wiley, USA
Wiley is another Chelsea youngster yet to play for the Blues. In fairness, however, the club did only sign the 19-year-old defender in July 2024.