There's more to Olympic football than Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho... Emirates Business picks out five football stars to watch out for.
Sebastian Giovinco, Italy
The Turin-born Juventus midfielder likes to play high up the pitch, peppering his opponent's goal with rasping drives. Although he has illuminated Italy's youth teams – especially the Under 16s where he scored three in seven – it was not until Giovinco went out on loan to Empoli did his stock take a sudden rise.
From midfield, the diminutive Italian netted six goals in 35 matches, including a last-minute free-kick against Roma. The goal earned him much media attention and he was called up to the Under-21 side to compete in the Toulon Tournament. Giovinco was voted Player of the Tournament, scoring three goals, including the winning penalty in the semi-finals against Japan. Italy won the tournament.
Having returned to the Bianconeri this summer, Giovinco will be looking to prove he has what it takes to perform for one of the best team's in Italy. How better to do that than lead your country to Olympic glory?
Alexandre Pato, Brazil
On his debut for Brazilian side Internacional Porto Alegre, a 16-year-old Alexandre Pato scored one goal and notched up three assists as his team won 4-1. He also scored the winner in a 2-1 win over Al Ahly in the semi-final to help his side on their way to winning the Club World Cup in 2006. The following summer he joined AC Milan for €22 million (Dh123.1m), but due to his age was unable to link up with his new team-mates until January.
Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi claimed at the time that, if Pato played like he did in training, he would score 30 goals between January and June. The youngster might not have delivered quite as dramatically, but nine goals in 18 games in Serie A is no mean feat – especially for an 18-year-old with the world on his shoulders.
The Brazilian has already made his debut for the full national team, scoring on his debut against Sweden at the Emirates Stadium, and he will be keen to forge a partnership with Ronaldinho, who also made a big money move to the Rossoneri recently.
Lautaro Acosta, Argentina
When Argentina were winning Olympic gold in Athens four years ago, 16-year-old Lautaro Acosta was plying his trade at little-known Lanus. Now, the pacy midfielder is a national hero after netting the only goal that secured his country's qualification to both the Under-20 World Cup and the Beijing Olympics. He also helped Lanus to their first league title in the club's history. His exploits earned him a €7 million (Dh39.1m) move to Spanish side Sevilla this summer.
Acosta was the hero of the hour again on Thursday as he scored with four minutes to go to give Argentina a valuable 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast.
Royston Drenthe, Holland
While at Feyenoord, Drenthe was deployed as an attack-minded left-back. The 21-year-old's ability to beat his opponent with a blistering turn of pace soon alerted Europe's biggest clubs and when Real Madrid came knocking last August with £10 million (Dh74m), the Dutchman threatened to take Feyenoord to court if they refused him a transfer.
Twelve months on and Drenthe has experienced an inconsistent first season. He has found game-time hard to come by and when he does play he is more often than not played either in central midfield or on the left wing. He will be keen to show what he can do this month when given the starting berth he desires. Holland have an abundance of young talent, but Drenthe – Player of the Tournament at last year's Under 21 European Championships – is sure to play a key part.
Freddy Adu, USA
Adu first became a familiar name nine years ago, when the Ghana-born American was 10 years old. He had taken part in the US Olympic Development Programme and had finished an under-14 tournament as top scorer – despite being three years younger than the majority of players involved. Inter Milan were linked with a move, as were Manchester United. Adu promised to remain in the United States and made his professional debut for DC United aged 14. After a short spell at Real Salt Lake, Adu moved to Benfica last summer, where he netted three times in 11 games before being allowed to leave on loan to Monaco.
He will undoubtedly have something to prove this month as the hype surrounding the "American Wonderkid" has started to wane. At international level, the omens are good. He has represented the United States at every level from U-17 to the full squad and for the Under-20s he scored almost once every two games (16 goals in 33 matches). He has yet to score for the US first team, but with the French Ligue 1 kicking off next weekend, Adu should be raring to go.