Six young guns to watch in Rio
These young stars are ready to take the Olympics by storm
Starting ahead of the curve, football will unofficially herald the start of the Rio Olympics tomorrow morning (Singapore time).
The competition has previously showcased some of the world's best, such as Lionel Messi, and also helped catapult the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Giorgio Chiellini and Angel di Maria to international attention.
Here are six players to keep an eye out for at this Games:
1 GABRIEL BARBOSA (Brazil)
Age: 19
Position: Forward
All eyes on the host nation's front-line but perhaps not the right personnel.
Neymar invariably steals focus as will Gabriel Jesus, who signed for Manchester City yesterday, but Barbosa is Brazil's real Olympic diamond.
Raw yet ready, there is a reason why his nickname of "Gabigol" has carried added gravitas in recent months.
2 KWON CHANG HOON (South Korea)
Age: 22
Position: Attacking midfielder
Focus invariably gravitates towards Tottenham's Son Heung Min as his country's footballing heir but Kwon has been hailed as the true future of South Korean football.
With an all-action package that includes goals and assists in abundance, it is clear to see why PSV Eindhoven and a host of Bundesliga clubs continue to stalk the 22-year-old.
3 HIRVING LOZANO (Mexico)
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Already catching the eye of Manchester United, parallels between Lozano and compatriot Javier Hernandez, a former Old Trafford stalwart, are understandable.
Quick and agile with good control, the winger's ascent into the limelight appears only a matter of time as Mexico aim to record a second consecutive gold medal in men's football.
4 TAKUMA ASANO (Japan)
Age: 21
Position: Forward
Arsene Wenger's stockpiling of "ones for the future'' remains a chagrin at Arsenal but Asano may finally vindicate the elder statesman's methodology.
Although he is unlikely to make an immediate challenge to the Emirates Stadium's front-line, his pace and penchant for taking on opposition defences will outline the reasons behind his left-field move.
5 MAX MEYER (Germany)
Age: 20
Position: Attacking midfielder
Meyer's current wealth of experience, owing to a springboard start to his career at Schalke, belies his tender years and frame.
But size is an irrelevance for a 20-year-old who is both quick-footed and capable of hitting the target with ease. He has already attracted interest from Liverpool.
6 LASSE VIGEN CHRISTENSEN (Denmark)
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Turning 22 at the tail end of the Games, Christensen heads to Rio on the back of an unlikely starring role for Fulham last season.
They, however, could face a fight to retain his services should he repeat the series of energetic midfield performances which provided a rare positive for the Championship club in the previous campaign.
THERE'S NEYMAR
...AND
THERE'S
SON
Opening fixtures
TOMORROW MORNING
GROUP A:
- Iraq v Denmark (12am)
- Brazil v South Africa (3am)
GROUP B:
- Sweden v Colombia (6am)
- Nigeria v Japan (9am)
GROUP C:
- Mexico v Germany (4am)
- Fiji v South Korea (7am)
GROUP D:
- Honduras v Algeria (2am)
- Portugal v Argentina (5am)
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