'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgP/2gAIAQEAAAAAUP/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/2gAIAQIQAAAAE//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQMQAAAAN//EACAQAQACAQIHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEIRESEzFRYaH/2gAIAQEAAT8A0Goj0LSyuqdcopS8ZLGfl9d9jLWTZNicsVUCex8z/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIQAC/9oACAECAQE/ANJf/8QAFBEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/aAAgBAwEBPwB//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Argentina have had their purple patch in football at the Summer Olympics in recent years. Albiceleste grabbed gold medals in 2004 and 2008 and are the most successful nation in the competition behind Hungary and Great Britain.
The Argentines have always sent their best to this global sporting event and that included icons like Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Angel Di Maria, Hernan Crespo and many others.
This time, however, coach Fernando Batista is traveling to Tokyo for the Olympics alongside a young squad with no big names present. While the country is still gaga over their team's recent Copa America heroics, Batista and his young guns will be doing their best to emulate the senior team's continental success.
Argentina lie in a relatively easy Group C with Spain being their only major threat. Australia and Egypt occupy the other two spots within the group. Argentina are all set to face Australia in their opening game at the 2020 Olympics.
Without further ado, let's get into it.
The top five Argentine Players to Watch Out For in the 2020 Olympics.
#5 Thiago Almada
The 20-year-old brave midfielder from Buenos Aires is an absolute surprise package. The Velez Sarsfield starlet is tipped to move to a bigger club in the near future as he has been constantly under the scouts' radar for quite some time now.
Almada was set to join Premier League champs Man City last year but the transfer didn't go through. However, the EPL outfit are still set to bring the young Argentine midfielder to the Etihad Stadium.
Fernando Batista is expected to rely heavily on Thiago Almada in Argentina's games at the Olympics. The kid who has shone on junior levels will have all eyes on him this term in Tokyo.
#4 Facundo Medina
The Argentine vice-captain is sure to be a regular starter at the Olympics. He will be deployed regularly as one of the four members of Batista's defensive options.
Being a natural centre-back, Medina has also aced the role of a left-back whenever he was demanded of it. Facundo Medina arrived in France in 2020 and established himself as one of the key players within the club in his debut season.
He was instrumental in his club, RC Lens', consistent performance throughout the year in Ligue 1. They bagged the seventh spot in the league table by the end of the season. The 22-year-old defender grabbed eyeballs with his spectacular debut goal, which was an overhead strike.
#3 Nehuén Pérez
The man with the captain's armband for Argentina at the 2020 Summer Olympics — Nehuén Pérez. The 21-year-old Argentine centre-back has established himself as one of the most promising foreigners in La Liga.
After being loaned out to Granada by Atletico Madrid, Pérez is expected to return to the Wanda Metropolitano and join the ranks at his parent club. The former Argentinos Junior defender possesses a handful of experience in the national outfit. He has also been a regular face in Albiceleste's junior-level competitions.
Hence, he is rightfully the man to lead his side in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Especially when the team is lacking senior players at their command, unlike the previous times.
#2 Ezequiel Ponce
Ezequil Ponce is one of the most decorated youngsters within the ranks of the Argentinian squad. Having displayed sparks of talent at a very tender age, Ponce has played for some big clubs that include the likes of Lille, Granada, Roma, AEK Athens and Newell's Old Boys.
He currently plays for the Russian side Spartak Moscow. The promising young gun is expected to score goals for his nation on a regular basis at the 2020 Olympics. Ponce's dangerous runs into the box and quick feet could be an add-on for Fernando Batista, who must be knitting strategies ahead of the big stage.
The 24-year-old striker has also exhibited his prowess as a winger and is all-set to take the stage in Tokyo.
#1 Alexis Mac Allister
The Santa Rosa native, who goes by the name of Alexis McAllister, is the only Premier League player at coach Fernando Batista's disposal this time at the Olympics. He is also lauded as the 'most-looked upon' Argentine in Tokyo.
The Brighton topliner has also featured for Argentine heavyweight Boca Juniors and steps into the Olympics with a bagful of competitive football experience.
He was part of the Seagulls team that defeated the Premier League champions, Manchester City, in May, earlier this year. It is a feat the club achieved for the first time since 1989.
Mac Allister is expected to be a regular feature for Brighton & Hove Albion's 2021-22 campaign but before that, he is entrusted with the responsible task of getting that gold medal home for Argentina.
Argentina will be eyeing their second major victory this year at the Olympics with these young talents by their side. Would they emerge victorious and repeat the feats they achieved at Athens and Beijing?
Let's wait and watch.
