For those craving more international football after a summer that’s already brought us a European Championship and the Copa America, allow the Olympics to sate your appetite across the next few weeks.
The Games’ men’s football tournament is an opportunity to watch exciting young talent represent their country, with the competition largely comprised of under-23s players — plus three designated over-age members in each of the 16 squads.
The Athletic has already analysed which players USMNT fans ought to look out for on their Olympics roster once the action kicks off with eight group-stage matches today (Wednesday), but who should we be keeping an eye on across the wider competition?
GO DEEPER
Which Europe-based players should U.S. fans watch out for on the Olympics roster?
From hosts France’s exciting forwards, to a stacked Spain looking to add to their men’s and women’s senior sides’ recent triumphs and standout performers from less-fancied nations Israel, New Zealand and Uzbekistan; here are 10 players to watch…
Desire Doue
Age: 19
Country: France
Club: Rennes
In typical circumstances, a player with the prodigious talent of Desire Doue would already have a handful of senior caps by now — having risen through France’s under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides. But a…
