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The Olympics is the biggest sporting festival, which features the best athletes from multiple sports from around the world. Among the multitude of events at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, men's football has been a big attraction, despite teams being allowed only three players over the age of 24.
Football is football - even at the Olympics
Among the sixteen teams that started the men's football competition at the Tokyo Olympics, there has been a multitude of quality players on display.
Ahead of Brazil batting Spain for the gold-medal match, let's have a look at the five most expensive men's football teams that have featured in this edition of the Summer Games.
#5 France - €121.5 million
Reigning world champions France featured the fifth-most expensive squad at the Tokyo Olympics. However, Les Bleus crashed out in the group stage after finishing third in their group, behind Japan and Mexico.
The most valuable French player in the squad was Tigres UANL winger Florian Thauvin (€17 million), who spent most of his career with Marseille in France before making the switch to Mexico.
The second-most valuable player in the squad behind Thauvin was Lucas Tousart (€16 million), a midfielder for German side Hertha Berlin. The 21-year-old Pierre Kalulu (€7 million), who plays for AC Milan, also featured for the side.
#4 Argentina - €128.1million
Despite their senior team winning Copa America 2021, Argentina disappointed at the Tokyo Olympics. The Albiceleste finished behind Spain and Egypt to miss out on the quarter-finals.
The most valuable player in the squad was 20-year-old attacking midfielder Thiago Almada (€20 million), who plays for Atletico Velez Sarsfield in the Argentine top division.
Atlanta United's Ezequiel Barco (€10 million) was the second-most expensive Argentine player at the Olympics. Alexis Mac Allister (€10 million), who plays for Brighton in the Premier League, was another notable member of the squad.
#3 Germany - €128.25 million
Germany, who won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in 2014, had the third most valuable squad at the Tokyo Olympics. Die Mannschaft, though, endured a group-stage elimination, finished third behind Brazil and Ivory Coast.
Their 27-year-old Wolfsburg midfielder Maximilian Arnold (€19 million), who captained the side at the Tokyo Olympics, was Germany's most expensive player at the tournament.
Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri (€18 million) was the second-most valuable player in the squad. Former Werder Bremer striker Max Kruse (€5 million) was another notable name in the squad, along with RB Leipzig's new right-back Benjamin Henrichs (€12 million).
#2 Brazil - €363.7 million
Copa America 2021 runners-up, Brazil have featured one of the most expensive rosters in the Tokyo Olympics.
They topped their group and overcame Egypt and Mexico to reach the final. The team is captained by former Barcelona and PSG right-back Dani Alves. At the age of 38, though, Alves (€2 million) is not one of the most expensive Brazil players at the tournament.
That honour goes to Everton's 24-year-old attacker Richarlison (€55 million), followed by Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos (€ 45 million). Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz (€35 million) are the other most expensive players in the Brazil team.
The Brazilian contingent boasts a plethora of exciting talent too, including Hertha Berlin attacker Matheus Cunha, Ajax winger Antony and Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli. Highly rated Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is another name who stands out in the squad.
#1 Spain - €563 million
Euro 2020 semi-finalists Spain boast the most valuable squad at the Tokyo Olympics.
Spain, like Brazil, have brought a rather strong squad to the Olympics. In fact, some of their players also featured at Euro 2020, where La Furia Roja were eliminated in a semi-final shootout by eventual champions Italy.
Spain topped their group before overcoming Ivory Coast and Japan to book their place against Brazil in the final.
Barcelona midfield prospect Pedri (€80 million) is the most valuable player in the squad and, in fact, the most valuable player in the entire tournament.
After impressing in the Euros, Pedri has continued his good performances at the Olympics too. Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal (€70 million) ranks second on the list, followed by Leipzig's attacking midfielder Dani Olmo (€50 million). All three players featured at the Euros for Spain.
Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio (€35 million), who scored the extra-time winner against Japan in the semis, is another notable name in their squad. Tottenham Hotspur's new signing Bryan Gil (€30 million) is also part of the roster.
Highly-rated Villareal CF centre-back Pau Torres (€50 million), a Real Madrid target, is a key component of Spain's backline, impressing at the Tokyo Olympics.
