The rules of the Olympic Games allow for the selection of three players over the age of 23, and Thierry Henry intends to take advantage of this. The coach of the French U-21 team has already chosen the three players he wants to retain next summer.
The men’s football tournament of the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place from July 24 to August 9 in various French stadiums, with the final being held at 6 pm at the Parc des Princes. Three years after the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics, the French team aims to shine on home soil and clearly targets the gold medal. To strengthen the U-21 team, Thierry Henry has the right to retain three players over the age of 23, and with the wealth of talent already present in the French squad, he has a difficult choice to make. Even before knowing if the clubs involved will agree, the coach of the French Olympic team has reportedly already made his choice. The three lucky players are Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, and Olivier Giroud, all forwards.
On Wednesday, March 20, the draw for the four groups of the tournament will take place at the headquarters of the Paris Olympic Games organizing committee. France will be in Group A, marking the beginning of a very precise timing for Thierry Henry. The national coach will have a tough task on his hands if he wants to retain Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, and Olivier Giroud, namely convincing their clubs to release them.
The Olympic tournament is not considered a FIFA date, and clubs can refuse to release a player without any problem. While Griezmann may need the approval of Diego Simeone and Atlético Madrid, Mbappé and Giroud’s situations are more uncertain. The AC Milan forward is nearing the end of his contract and has yet to decide on his future, while Mbappé is set to leave PSG and join Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti will need to agree to let the French star play for his country, especially because the 25-year-old forward will also participate in Euro 2024 before the Olympic tournament.
Our colleagues from Le Parisien specify that “discussions have started in great secrecy with certain players and their clubs to ensure the Olympic staff a competitive team.” It is unclear if Real Madrid is involved in these negotiations, although it is likely that Mbappé has made this a condition of his future contract. Eager for trophies, the 2018 World Cup champion has always expressed his desire to participate in the Paris Olympics, the idea of winning Euro 2024 and then a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics being very tempting for him as he dreams of winning the Ballon d’Or. A summer double with France could propel him towards this award, especially if PSG goes far in the Champions League. The opinion of Florentino Perez remains to be seen.
