Covid 19 was the catalyst for massive upheaval in the lives of every person on Earth for the last eighteen months and counting. From babies to the elderly, nobody was spared as lockdown restrictions were put in place by governments across the globe. Football fans have also had to bear the brunt, as football had been played in empty stadiums for longer than a year. However, in 2021 football supporters have been treated to one of the most exciting summers in recent memory of international football action. From one of the most exciting European Championships to Lionel Messi’s first Copa America victory with Argentina, the players went above and beyond to entertain the fans who had found themselves stuck in their own homes. The last tournament that took place before the 2021/22 Premier League season started was the delayed 2020 Olympics. However, the majority of the Premier Leagues stars did not participate in this global spectacle. Was this an anomaly or just the way it always is?
Why do the majority of the Premier Leagues’ top players not participate in the Olympics? The primary reason top professional footballers do not compete in the Olympics is that the Olympics is not an official FIFA event, like the World Cup, Euros and other major international competitions. As a result, the clubs are under no obligation to allow their players to compete in the competition. In addition the Olympic football tournament is for players under the age of 23, with just three spots available on each side for those beyond the age of 23.
As with most things, the journey of how we got to this point can best explain the nuances of Oylmpic Games Football and how we ended up at this point.
When was football first played at an Olympic Games?
We are all aware that the football competition in the Olympics is in no way comparable to major football events such as the World Cup, the Euros, and the Copa America. Men’s football was first played in the Paris Olympics in 1900 and Great Britain was the first country to win a gold medal in that event.
When were professional football players first allowed to compete in an Olympic Games?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed professional football players to compete at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The age restriction has been established at 23 years old, with each side permitted to field three players who are “over the age limit.” Therefore, professional players are eligible to compete in the Olympics and many prominent players, like Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Pep Guardiola, have participated in the Olympics.
Representatives from the qualifying countries for both the men’s and women’s teams went to Japan to compete in the Olympic football tournament. The men’s event is particularly interesting, given that all the teams are restricted to players under the age of 23 in addition to three overage players.
At the delayed 2020 Olympics, the age restriction was enforced as if the tournament were to take place during the originally scheduled 2020 dates, which essentially made it a competition for participants under the age of 24. Due to this change to the rules because of Covid, ten players were eligible to play in this year’s competition, which was not the case in previous years as there were almost no participants from the Premier League in those prior years. This change impacted various managers’ preparations for the current season, as they were without some of their younger stars for pre-season.
Which Nation takes the most Premier League Stars to the Olympics?
The Brazilian Olympic soccer squad had the highest number of Premier League representatives in Japan 2020. One of Rafa Benitez’s first major choices as Everton manager was whether or not to allow one of his most important players, Richarlison, to join up with Brazil’s Olympic squad, even though the striker had previously competed in the Copa America earlier this summer. Benitez decided to give the go-ahead. It would have been tough for the new manager to turn down the chance for his charge to play in a competition that is highly regarded in Brazil.
Brazilian legend Dani Alves is among the overage players in the squad, which also includes Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, who will be missed by his club if he is unable to return for the first few games of the season. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli was also among those who called up to the national team.
Fitness-wise, these games are a good way for the players to be in shape for the upcoming season while also improving match sharpness. However, amongst the drawbacks included the inability to participate in pre-season preparations with their clubs, teamwork, and tactics, as well as the additional tiredness from travel.
Crystal Palace’s Jay Rich-Baghuelou and Southampton’s Caleb Watts, both 21 years old, are among the players from the Premier League who have been selected for the Australia team. Supporters of all the Premier League teams will also be watching the Games will keep a keen eye on the players not as well known.
Manchester United fans are already familiar with Eric Bailly, who will be representing the Ivory Coast at the Olympics, but they will be interested to see how his international teammate Amad Diallo performs at this level after showing promise in a handful of appearances for the Red Devils last season.
Even though Everton will be worried about the number of games Richarlison has played this summer, they will be happy to see Niels Nkounkou selected for the France national team. After rarely appearing for Everton under their former manager, Rafael Benitez will keep a keen eye on one of the more promising youngsters. West Ham’s Winston Reid, a New Zealand international who spent the latter half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Championship playoff winners Brentford, and Arsenal midfielder Dan Ceballos were also part of the Premier League contingent for this Games.
It is easy to get information on the Premier League in Japan. From first-team stars to potential youngsters, the players on display from the English league are usually representative of the kind of quality present across all teams, and it is this provided an additional element of intrigue to the race for Olympic gold.
However, the team with the most Premier League representatives, namely Brazil, were the stars of the Games this year. They overpowered all the other nations, with their Everton star Richarlison de Andrade the shining light of the tournament. They defeated Spain in the final, with Malcolm scoring the winner in extra time to seal another gold medal for the Brazilian Olympic Team.
Why do England not enter the Olympic Football Tournament?
Traditionally it is Great Britain who enters the Olympics, not England, Scotland, Wales etc. This means that there is no British Team eligible for the Olympic Tournament, so most British Premier League stars never get the chance to compete in the Olympics. An exception was made when England hosted the Olympic Games in 2012, when a star studded team from the home nations competed. Featuring stars such as Ryan Giggs, Aaron Ramsey and Daniel Sturridge lost in the first Knockout Round on Penalties to South Korea.