THE Paris 2024 Olympics kicks off this week – and there will be some familiar faces in action for football fans.
SunSport takes a look at all the Premier League players competing in the French capital this summer.
Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez is one of the key names who will be competing at the Paris Olympics.
The Argentine forward goes into the Games on the back of a Premier League-winning season with the Cityzens.
Alvarez has had a busy summer as he also helped his country to win the Copa America.
Chelsea are the club worst-hit by the Paris Olympics as they have two stars heading to the French capital.
Goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina and midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu will represent the USA and France respectively.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta will star for France fresh from his 16-goal Premier League season.
Paraguay boast two top-flight stars in their ranks, with Wolves’ Enso Gonzalez and Brighton’s Julio Enciso in the squad for Paris.
Bournemouth youngster Alex Paulsen and Ipswich teen Henry Gray will be representing New Zealand at the Games.
Midfielder Boubacar Traore will be in action for Mali after making 24 appearances for Wolves last season.
Football at the Olympics will run from Wednesday, July 24 and end on Saturday, August 10.
And the Premier League season starts on Friday, August 16 – meaning it’s unlikely any player competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics will feature on the opening matchday of the season.
Alvarez and Enciso are yet to have a full break, having gone straight into the Copa America following the conclusion of the Prem season.
FIFPro guidelines state that footballers should have four weeks off between seasons to rest and recover, which could mean City and Brighton will be without their young stars until late September.
