Rio 2016: 5 over-aged players to look out for
The countdown to Rio Olympics has begun as only three days are left before the biggest sporting event on the planet gets underway in Rio. Since Brazil are hosting the Olympics this year, a lot of excitement will be generated towards the football tournament. Brazil have been the most successful footballing nation ever with 5 World Cups but have never been able to win the Olympic gold medal, having come agonizingly close in the London Olympics before losing 2-1 to Mexico in the final at Wembley.
The current Olympic format allows only three players above the age of 23 to participate in the Olympics and as a result, many eminent players of today will be missing out on the Olympics. However, there are a handful of over-aged players who can make an impact on the Olympics.
Here are five such footballers to look out for in at Rio.
#5 Oribe Peralta, Mexico
The 32-year old Club America midfielder had a memorable outing at the London Olympics four years back as he scored four goals for Mexico including both of their goals in the 2-1 defeat of Brazil in the final at Wembley which won El Tricolor their first ever gold at the Olympics.
Peralta has since made a total of 50 appearances for the national team, scoring 22 times. Mexico will be coming to Rio as the reigning Olympic champions and with high expectations. Their group consists of Germany, bronze medalists of the London Olympics South Korea, and Mexico will be expected to qualify for the quarter-finals.
With the likes of Argentina and Portugal being a probable opponent in the quarter-finals, Mexico’s chances of repeating their results of London look tougher, but the presence of Peralta make them a formidable opponent as he has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for the Mexican Olympic team. If Peralta can be as lethal as he was in the London Olympics then Mexico could well be a team to watch out for.