Ranked: Michael Olise, Julian Alvarez, Kevin Paredes & Top 10 men's players to watch at the Olympics

The tricky Paraguayan burst onto the scene with Brighton at the back end of the 2022-23 campaign, buoyed by a memorable strike against Manchester City. A knee injury stalled his growth last season, but Brighton have released him for the Olympics. He didn't enjoy the best of starts, though, turning in a lifeless performance as Paraguay were handily beaten by Japan in their tournament opener.

Had an Achilles tear not stunted his career, Robinson could be a starter for the USMNT proper by now. And he still might be someday. This tournament is a real chance for the Atlanta United man to state his case to do just that.

One of the breakout stars in world football last season, Cubarsi was perhaps a tad unfortunate not to make the Spain squad ahead of Euro 2024. He will have the opportunity to show Luis de la Fuente what he missed with a good showing in Paris. Things aren't off to the best start; Cubarsi looked admittedly shaky in La Roja's narrow 2-1 win over lowly Uzbekistan.

Another Barcelona star on the fringes of Spain's first team, Fermin's challenge is playing in a position where his national side is already loaded. With significantly less competition in his preferred attacking midfield role, the stage seems nicely set for him to make an impact at the Olympics - and build upon a strong end to the 2023-24 campaign for the Blaugrana.

Paredes does a bit of everything so well that it's difficult to figure out what he's best at. For the USMNT, his future likely lies on the wing, where he can create and score goals in bunches. That quality was missing against France, but if he's on it, Marko Mitrovic's side will feel they have a chance.

After bossing the league for 18 months, Almada finally got his much-deserved move out of MLS. That it was to Brasileiro Serie A side Botafogo came as something of a surprise, but Almada was certainly ready for the next step in his career. A good performance in Paris, and Europe is surely next.

A move away from Arsenal did "Laca" a world of good in 2022. The forward has enjoyed a late-career renaissance at Lyon, bagging 46 goals in 64 Ligue 1 appearances. He will lead the line and captain Thierry Henry's side as they push for gold on home soil. It's been a perfect start for the striker, who led France to a commanding win over the US on opening night.

One of the best right-backs in world football, Hakimi was immense for his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And his levels haven't dropped since then. The PSG man remains an elite, game-changing presence on the right.

Alvarez was, albeit briefly, favoured over Erling Haaland for Man City last year; that's how good the Argentine can be. A tricky, high-pressing forward, he won the World Cup with the senior team, and every club trophy on offer with City. Can he bring Olympic gold next?

Olise, an attacking midfielder from Crystal Palace, didn't seem an archetypal Bayern Munich signing when they brought him in last month. But watch the film of him tearing apart big teams in the Premier League, and it's clear why Bayern spent so much. He already looks the part for Les Bleus...