AFP/Getty Images/GOALJulian Alvarez, the talented player from Manchester City, and Achraf Hakimi, representing PSG, are both vying for the prestigious gold medal at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. They aspire to emulate the success of renowned superstars who have previously achieved this remarkable feat.
Despite being an Under-23 competition, the men’s football tournament at the Olympic Games has witnessed numerous iconic figures claim the coveted Olympic gold. Renowned names like Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi have achieved triumph at the world’s grandest sporting event, either during their youth or later on, as they were among the three over-age players permitted to participate.
The prestige that the Olympics carries is huge, as evidenced by stars like Kylian Mbappe being so keen to play at it, though the France star's clubs don't tend to share his enthusiasm given the extra strain it would put on him. Given its U23 format, the Games can give a glimpse at the next generation and, in turn, which countries could be set to thrive in years to come. Spain's Euro 2024-winning squad, for example, featured seven names from the one that won Olympic silver medal in 2021.
But who are the footballing superstars who have gone one better and claimed an Olympic gold medal? As Paris 2024 prepares to kick-off, at which the likes of Julian Alvarez, Alexandre Lacazette and Achraf Hakimi will compete, GOAL looks back at some of the biggest names to stand on top of the podium in the men's football tournament…
