Tokyo Olympics 2020: 13 players to watch out for in the men's football tournament
Fear not international football fans, Euro 2020 may be done and dusted, but the summer still has one major tournament to offer.
The Tokyo Olympics get underway later this week, and one of the premier events, aside from the usual track and field highlights, will be the men’s football competition.
Several top nations will be competing for the gold medal, but rules state that teams are restricted predominantly to players under the age of 24, with a maximum of three overage exceptions.
That means that the Olympics can often be a good place to spot some of the very best emerging talent in the global game, and can even act as a shop window for players to strut their stuff in.
With that in mind, we’ve picked out 13 of the most gifted and promising players on display.
Click and scroll through the pages below to see who you should be keeping an eye on in Tokyo…
1. Liberato Cacace - New Zealand
What a name, and what a player to boot. Cacace is a lightning quick full-back who plays for Sint-Truiden in Belgium, and who has a massive ceiling of potential. Still only 20, this could be his breakout tournament. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) Photo: Matt King
2. Fausto Vera - Argentina
A combative midfielder who still plies his trade in South America, Vera is something of a hidden gem. If he makes good on his sizeable potential in Tokyo, however, he won't remain hidden for long. (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: JUAN BARRETO
3. Takehiro Tomiyasu - Japan
One for Tottenham fans to keep an eye on perhaps, Tomiyasu has been heavily linked with a move to north London this summer. The 22-year-old centre-back has been making waves at Bologna, and could cement his status as one to watch in his home Olympics. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) Photo: Koji Watanabe
4. Pedri - Spain
The teenager was one of the breakout stars of Euro 2020, but he's not resting on his laurels, and he looks set to be a big deal at the Olympics too. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Photo: David Ramos