FOOTBALL is back after an agonising break following Euro 2024, at least at the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games kicks off this Friday. However, the men's football event will be kicking off two days ahead of schedule with opening matches taking place on July 24 and the final - or gold medal match in this case - being held on August 9.
The major difference between it and major tournament such as the World Cup, Euros or Copa America , is the rule requiring players to be under the age of 23, barring three exceptions. The beautiful game has been an event at every summer Olympics except for the inaugural 1896 Games and the 1932 Games, which came as an attempt to promote the then new World Cup. Some major nations have managed to qualify, including France , Spain and Argentina , though the men's defending champions, Brazil , failed to qualify.
READ MORE IN OLYMPICS Despite Team GB not sending a team to the tournament - with London 2012 the exception - since the 1970s, massive stars like Lionel Messi , Neymar and Samuel Eto'o have all got their hands on Olympic glory. SunSport have picked out six more stars - including some that Premier League fans will be familiar with - to keep an eye on as they hope to light up the tournament this summer. Michael Olise - France/Bayern Munich Crystal Palace fans will feel a pang of frustration knowing they may never see the winger at Selhurst Park again.
But Michael Olise will be wanting to show new Bayern boss Vincent .