Since the origins of the Olympic Games, football has obviously been one of the disciplines that thrills supporters around the world. Even if the list of the French team for the 2024 Olympics is not yet known, there is no doubt that the u23 selection of the Blues will be keen to shine in front of their supporters. In the past, many stars have distinguished themselves in this competition, which they won at the end of a memorable Olympic epic. Refresh your memory by (re)discovering the names of the gold medal-winning footballers who left their mark on their sport:
Ferenc Puskas (Hungary): Olympic Champion in 1952
- The Hungarian team of Puskas, Kocsis, Czibor, Hidgékuti won against Brazil in 1952. In the stands, samba mixed with the tunes of csardas and one of the best teams in history won, finishing with the gold medal around his neck in Helsinki. Even today, Puskas is in the news in football because he gave his name to the Trophy rewarding the best goal of the year in the world.
Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique (Spain): Olympic Champions in 1992
- Having become successful coaches, the two former Barça players achieved the feat of being crowned in their country with Spain. It was during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, with a victory against Poland in the final at the Camp Nou. The current Manchester City coach was 21 years old and had just won the Champions Cup and La Liga with Barça.
Nwanko Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria): Olympic champions in 1996
Football experts know its players well, as talented as they are atypical. Former stars of Inter Milan and PSG, respectively, they had the heyday of their selection. The 1m97 giant and the genius artist had led Nigeria to victory in the Olympic Tournament. In the final the Super Eagles beat Argentina in Atlanta after being down 2-1 with a quarter of an hour to go. Emmanuel Amunike then scored the winning goal in the last minute and allowed Nigeria to become the first African nation to win the gold medal.
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon): Olympic champion in 2000
After eliminating Ronaldinho’s Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in Australia, nothing could stop the Indomitable Lions. In the semi-final, Zamorano’s Chile also folded, before Xavi and Puyol’s Spain in the final (victory on penalties after being led 2-0).
Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi (Argentina): Olympic Champions in 2008
Yes, we can be Olympic champions in 2008 and world champions in 2022. This is the incredible destiny of Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, touched by the grace of the Football Gods. Already crowned u20 world champion in 2005, the golden generation of the Albiceleste offered the second gold medal to Argentina in 2008, with a goal on a nice lob from the ‘Fideo’, served by the ‘Pulga’, in final.
Neymar Jr (Brazil): Olympic champions in 2016
At the top of his art, ‘Ney’ greatly contributed to the success of the Seleção, which beat Germany in the final (1-1, 5 TAB 4). On the lawn of the Maracana, the former Santos, Barça and PSG player signs the winning shot on goal and collapses in tears on the field. After the match, he announced that he wanted to leave the armband and entrust it to a “more mature” teammate.