The Paris Summer Olympics will shortly begin this month, featuring 34 sports events. Football itself will be held from July 24 to August 10, with matches played in seven different stadiums.
The competition regulations remain consistent over the past 30 years: only players 23 years old and younger as of January 1, 2024, may compete, plus three additional overage players. Sixteen participating countries will be divided into four groups.
With youth football tournament regulation, Olympics are a milestone for wonderkids aiming for higher career. There are many wonderkids who succeed in their career from participating this events such as Messi, Tevez, Thiago Alcantara, Pedri, and Kubo.
At this edition of the Olympics, there are many young players who have the potential to become wonderkids. So without further here is the list of potential standout players in this Olympics edition:
Ali Jasim (Iraq)
A 20-year-old Iraqi with extraordinary skill and playstyle, Jasim has already scored 18 goals and made 7 assists in 23/24 season for his club and national team. This left-winger has above average shooting quality and composure make him more prominent than the other players in his team.
Como FC, team who recently promoted into Serie A, transferred him from his former club Al-Kahrabaa on a three-years contract. This Iraqi golden boy made his debut in Iraqi Premier League when he was 14 years old.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Uzbekistan)
Already made 17 assists and 8 goals for both his national team and CSKA Moscow, this playmaker have very good game vision and fluid movement. Positioned as a midfielder, Fayzullaev have very good dictating tempo and his agility paired with extraordinary dribbling is just fascinating to watch.
He has bright career both in national team and club, in Uzbekistan, he made it to the quarter-final in the Asian Cup 2024, and the U-23 team were runners-up in the Asian Cup U-23. At CSKA, he helped the club reach the semi-final in the Russian Cup.
Claudio Echeverri (Argentina)
Claudio Echeverri made an extraordinary performance in the 2023 U-17 World Cup, debuting at River Plate and later being signed by Manchester City at 18 years old. As an Argentine midfielder, Echeverri deserves these career milestones due to his remarkable abilities.
It’s not a hyperbolic when media mentioned him as “the next Messi”. By just watching his dribbling and playstyle you will know why he have that nickname.
Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
Barcelona never fails when it comes to find a gold in La Masia. Pau Cubarsi who born in 2007 has already made 21 appearances with Barcelona in La Liga and Copa del Rey, and 3 appearances in Champions league this season.
This center defender who recently paired with Araujo has very outstanding ability as ball-playing defender. 17 years old and already pocketing Oshimen and Mbappe in Champions League, it just remarkable performance form this Barcelona wonderkid.
Desire Doue (France)
Joga bonito, doesn’t feel pressure, already made 76 appearances in his career with Stade Rennains. Only 19 years old this France left winger has already gain high experience as an elite player in ligue 1.
Known for his volley 27-second substitution goal when he was 17, Doue career accelerated with the turn of the year. This promising left-winger ready to dance in Olympics venue.
Kodai Sano (Japan)
Successfully adapting total football Sano have very versatile position, he can play as midfielder also left winger. This Nijmegen player has skillful dribbling and vision but is not without flaws.
Sano lacks crossing precision, with only 1 out of 10 crossing attempts being successful. Despite this, Sano has great potential as an inverted winger or midfielder; he just needs time to become a star in Europe.
There are my version of young players are poised to shine in Paris Olympics, potentially marking the beginning of illustrious careers. If you have your own underrated wonderkids give a response below.
