The men’s football event at the Olympics is primarily for under-23 players, allowing for three seasoned players to participate.
FIFA does not mandate that clubs release their players, so coaches must select from those available.
While the host nation, France, aimed to include Mbappe, Real Madrid prohibited their new signing from competing in both the European Championship and the Olympics in the same summer.
France’s team features Crystal Palace striker Mateta, his former teammate Michael Olise, who recently transferred to Bayern Munich, and captain Alexandre Lacazette, previously of Arsenal.
Les Bleus secured victories against the United States, Guinea, and New Zealand during the group phase, managing not to concede a single goal. Each of their overage players has contributed by scoring.
Julian Alvarez from Manchester City has made it to Argentina’s Olympic squad just weeks after clinching the Copa America with the senior team.
Nicolas Otamendi, a former City defender now playing for Benfica, and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who was registered with City but never took to the field, complete the trio of overage players. Both were part of the Copa America winning team.
Argentina faced a 2-1 defeat against Morocco in their initial Group B match but rallied to overcome Iraq and Ukraine, advancing in second place. Thiago Almada from Botafogo leads the scoring charts for the team with two goals.
