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Here's a guide for the men's soccer event at the Paris Olympics
Players to Keep an Eye On:
- Michael Olise, representing France, made a significant impact in the Premier League for Crystal Palace and has now signed with Bayern Munich. Born in London, Olise has chosen to play for France and is expected to play a key role for the senior team if he performs well at Bayern.
- Kevin Paredes, from the United States, was named the country's young player of the year in 2023 and has recently signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation sports agency. Capable of playing as a left back or winger, Paredes has already made his mark in the senior national team.
- Claudio Echeverri, an 18-year-old from Argentina, has caught the attention of Manchester City and is set to join the Premier League team in the upcoming season. As an attacking midfielder, he played a crucial role in Argentina's journey to the semifinals of the U17 World Cup and is expected to shine at the Olympics.
Key Storylines to Follow:
- The US men's national team is making a comeback to the Olympics after an absence since 2008. Their qualification was secured through winning the 2022 edition of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship. They will face host nation France in their opening game.
- Israel is making a long-awaited return to the Olympics after being absent since 1976. However, there have been calls in France to limit their participation due to the conflict in Gaza.
- As the reigning champions, Argentina has the opportunity to continue their success by aiming for gold in Paris, following their victories in the 2021 Copa America and the World Cup in Qatar. They also successfully defended their Copa America title in the United States.
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