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We bet you didn’t know these players featured in the Olympics.
The Olympics, often regarded as the pinnacle of athletic achievement, have served as a platform for countless football stars to showcase their talents on a global stage.
While some athletes have gone on to become household names, others have quietly left their mark in Olympic history.
In this article, Pulse Sports reveals a list of some surprising football talents who have graced the Olympic Games.
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19:44 - 23.07.2024
5 African football legends who triumphed at the Olympics
These are 5 of Africa's high profile footballers who won Olympic gold medals in football matches
Yakubu Aiyegbeni
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Known mononymously as “Yakubu”, the former striker represented the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, long before he became a feared striker in the Premier League.
Although, he holds a reputation amongst Nigerians for his infamous miss against South Korea in the 2010 World Cup, Yakubu shone brightly for Nigeria at the Olympics.
At just 17 years old, he displayed his scoring prowess by netting crucial goals, including an injury-time equalizer against Honduras.
Despite Nigeria's elimination in the quarter-finals, Yakubu's performance was talked about by plaudits.
Cristiano Ronaldo
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Before Cristiano Ronaldo cemented his status as one of football's greatest, he made a lesser-known appearance at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Fresh from Euro 2004, where he captivated audiences with his skill, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Portugal's Olympic squad.
Despite scoring against Morocco, Portugal failed to advance past the group stage, a footnote in Ronaldo's illustrious career overshadowed by later achievements.
Andrea Pirlo
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Known for his elegance and vision on the pitch, Andrea Pirlo captained Italy's Olympic squad to a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Games.
Amidst a career filled with Serie A titles and a World Cup triumph in 2006, Pirlo's Olympic stint highlighted his leadership and tactical acumen, setting the stage for his later achievements with the national team.
Xavi
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Long before Xavi Hernandez became synonymous with Barcelona's tiki-taka style, he represented Spain at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Alongside future stars like Carles Puyol, Xavi's early international career included a memorable run to the final, where Spain ended up with silver after a dramatic match against Cameroon.
His Olympic debut foreshadowed his pivotal role in Spain's golden era of football dominance.
Mohamed Salah
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In 2012, a relatively unknown Mohamed Salah represented Egypt at the London Olympics.
Just beginning his journey in European football with Basel, Salah left an indelible mark by scoring crucial goals against formidable opponents like Brazil and New Zealand.
Egypt's journey ended in the quarter-finals, but Salah's performances was an early indication his future success on the pitch.
Roy Makaay
Roy Makaay's journey in football took him from Deportivo La Coruna to Bayern Munich, but his participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympics for the Netherlands added another chapter to his career.
As captain, Makaay led Ons Orange through a competitive tournament, although they were eventually eliminated in the quarter-finals by Argentina.
Freddy Adu
Freddy Adu was once touted as America's soccer prodigy, making headlines with his MLS debut at just 14 years old.
Despite a career that didn't quite meet early expectations, Adu represented the USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Although, the team didn't progress past the group stage.
Son Heung-min
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Amidst obligations for mandatory military service, Son Heung-min played a crucial role for South Korea at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
As an overage player, Son's presence bolstered South Korea's attack, leading the team to top their group.
Despite a disappointing quarter-final loss, Son's Olympic journey showcased his determination and skill, paving the way for his stellar career at Tottenham Hotspur.
Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister's participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics highlighted his emergence as a key player for Argentina's national team.
Despite challenges in the tournament, Mac Allister's performance on the Olympic stage contributed to his growth as a footballer, helping him advance hugely in his club career.
Vincent Kompany
Before leading Manchester City to numerous Premier League titles, Vincent Kompany featured prominently for Belgium at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Alongside fellow Belgian stars, Kompany showcased his defensive prowess, despite an early red card affecting his tournament participation.
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09:04 - 25.07.2024
Nigeria vs Brazil: 3 things to know about Super Falcons Paris 2024 opener
Nigeria's women football team, the Super Falcons will be seeking a triumphant start to their 2024 Olympics campaign when they take on Brazil in their tournament opener.
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23:32 - 26.06.2024
Spain, Netherlands, and Great Britain lead the top 20 most beautiful kits heading to Paris 2024 Olympics
Based on careful selection here are the top 20 most beautiful kits heading to the Paris Olympic Games.
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22:16 - 23.07.2024
Paris 2024: Michelle Alozie, Sarkina Karchaoui headline Top 10 'Most beautiful' women’s footballers of the Olympics
Pulse Sports reveals the most beautiful female footballers to watch out for at the Paris Olympics 2024.
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