Mbappe, Salah Among 7 Top Footballers Who Could Feature at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2024 Olympics in Paris are fast approaching, and anticipation for the games is palpable worldwide.

Football now steps into the spotlight, with numerous nations competing for the coveted gold medal.

Though technically an under-23 tournament, each nation is permitted three 'wildcards' - older players who bring experience, akin to Neymar's presence in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

This tournament has evolved into an opportunity for young talents to showcase their skills.

Sports Brief has highlighted the top seven players who could potentially feature at the 2024 Olympics.

Kylian Mbappe

It's no surprise that the 2024 Olympics are set to take place in Paris. And let's face it, can you imagine if Mbappe didn't make an appearance? He would undoubtedly steal the spotlight as the biggest name at the tournament, generating an insane amount of publicity.

Per Essentially Sports, Mbappe himself has expressed that playing at the Olympic Games is "a dream come true." While his club's future in Paris remains uncertain, it seems almost certain that he'll grace the Olympic stage.

Regardless of whether he's representing Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain when the tournament kicks off, Mbappe is poised to be one of France's wildcard entries.

Enzo Fernandez

The 2022 World Cup marked a significant turning point for Fernandez. His crucial role within the team proved instrumental in helping Lionel Messi secure the coveted trophy, a responsibility he embraced wholeheartedly.

Following his noteworthy World Cup performance, Fernandez made a high-profile move to Chelsea for a reported £107 million. Despite Chelsea enduring a challenging year, Fernandez has stood out as a beacon of excellence. His presence significantly elevates both Chelsea's and Argentina's performances.

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While participating in the Olympics may disrupt his pre-season preparations with the club, Fernandez's exceptional abilities and leadership qualities are precisely what Argentina needs to clinch a gold medal.

Pedri (Spain)

While it may seem unlikely, Barcelona midfielder Pedri could potentially be the key player to lead Spain to victory. Despite his injury setbacks this season, Pedri's undeniable talent marks him as a true gem for the Catalan club. At just 20 years old, Spain would still have numerous wildcard options available.

However, his club commitments are likely to take precedence, considering the significant amount of football Pedri has already played since emerging onto the scene a few years ago. If he remains fit and Barcelona permits his participation, Spain will undoubtedly emerge as a strong contender for the title.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Mo Salah, a figure synonymous with Egyptian football, requires no introduction; he's akin to a national treasure, reminiscent of the significance of the Suez Canal to Egypt.

With Egypt securing qualification for the 2024 Olympics, Salah undoubtedly relishes the prospect of vying for Olympic gold.

However, despite his undeniable talent, Salah is no longer as youthful as before, and Liverpool might harbour reservations about releasing him for the tournament.

Participating could disrupt his pre-season preparations with the club. Nonetheless, don't be shocked if Salah appears as one of Egypt's 'wildcards' at the Olympics.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina)

Few players manage to secure even a single trophy throughout their careers, but Alvarez accomplished the remarkable feat of winning the World Cup, Premier League, and Champions League last year. Quite an achievement for someone born in the year 2000.

With Messi unlikely to feature at the 2024 Olympics, as he'll likely be enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation on a beach in Miami, Alvarez has a chance to step out of the great man's shadow and become the primary figure.

Even at the club level, he often plays second fiddle to Erling Haaland, so he would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to remind Pep Guardiola of why he was signed.

Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)

Similar to Egypt, the 2024 Olympics present a significant opportunity for Morocco to assert themselves as a formidable presence on the global stage. And who better than Ziyech to lead the charge?

While Ziyech has faced challenges with the national team, including a brief retirement from international football due to differences with then-manager Vahid Halihodzic, he has since returned with renewed determination.

Now liberated from the constraints of Chelsea's bench, Ziyech undoubtedly seeks to showcase his capabilities once more on the international scene.

Christian Pulisic (USA)

Since his move from London to Milan last summer, 'Captain America' has been in sensational form. He's not just a player; he's America's beacon of hope, potentially the catalyst to guide the men's team towards glory.

Pulisic is one of those perennial figures in football, despite being just 25 years old. While his age categorizes him as a 'wildcard', the USA holds the Olympics in high regard. To harbor any hopes of clinching a gold medal, Pulisic's presence is indispensable.