Biggest stars competing in 2024 Paris Olympic Games
- Age restrictions prevent the best men's players from competing at the Olympics
- The reigning Women's World Cup champions, Spain, will compete in France this summer
- France and Argentina are the favorites to win the men's tournament
![Check out the five biggest stars competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Check out the five biggest stars competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4464,h_2511,x_0,y_119/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01j2vvskkq492cpvy3hj.jpg)
The biggest soccer stars competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games include the best women's player in the world and a reigning Copa America 2024 champion.
In the aftermath of Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024, the Paris Olympic Games are the final international competition in this summer's action-packed soccer calendar. Unfortunately, most of the world's best men's players will not compete in the French capital due to the competition's age restrictions; each squad must only feature those under the age of 23, with an exception for three players. The women's tournament, though, does not have the same restraints, and is full of iconic, must-see superstars, including the reigning Ballon d'Or winner.
Here's a breakdown of the five biggest soccer players, male and female, competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Biggest soccer stars competing in 2024 Paris Olympic Games
5. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
PSG granted Achraf Hakimi permission to represent Morocco at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The right-back has 66 caps and nine goals for his country, and will bring a wealth of experience to his squad this summer.
Coming off a successful season with PSG that ended with another Ligue 1 title and French Cup victory, Hakimi will look to help his country advance beyond Group B, featuring Argentina, Iraq, and Ukraine.
4. Marta (Brazil)
Marta is one of the best women's soccer players of all time, and an absolute icon for Brazil. The 38-year-old is Brazil's top goalscorer with 118 goals, and she holds the record for the most World Cup goals with 17.
Marta will play in her sixth Olympics this summer, and will look to extend her goalscoring streak in the competition; she is the first player, male or female, to score in five consecutive Olympic Games. The legend already has two silver medals, but she is still chasing her first gold.
3. Alexia Putellas (Spain)
Alexia Putellas will look to claim her first ever gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Barcelona captain already has just about every individual and team accolade in soccer, including two Women's Ballon d'Or awards, three Champions League titles, and a World Cup; an Olympic medal would be the perfect addition to her massive trophy cabinet.
Multiple injuries have plagued Putellas over the last few years, including a devastating ACL injury before Women's Euro 2022, but she has worked her way back to match fitness and will be a key player for Spain in Paris, even if she only plays limited minutes.
2. Julian Alvarez (Argentina)
Fresh off winning Copa America 2024 with Argentina, Julian Alvarez will continue representing his country at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Manchester City man scored two goals in the United States this summer, including the winner to send La Albiceleste to the Copa America 2024 final.
Alvarez's experience, both with Argentina and Manchester City, will be a much welcomed addition to the young squad heading to the French capital. If Alvarez and his supporting cast play to their potential, then they just might win Argentina's first gold medal since 2008.
1. Aitana Bonmati (Spain)
Aitana Bonmati is the reigning Women's Ballon d'Or winner and the frontrunner to win the award for a second straight year after her impressive year for Barcelona. The midfielder scored 14 goals across all competitions in the 2023/24 season, including the winner in the Champions League final, and will look to continue her elite form in Paris this summer.
Fortunately, Bonmati has had no trouble translating her game to the biggest of international stages. In fact, she won the Golden Ball at the 2023 Women's World Cup for her contributions in Spain's winning campaign.