5 Players to Watch at Beijing
The Olympic Games get under way this week in Beijing and it will be a showcase for up-and-coming talents.
Although the likes of Brazil's Ronaldinho and Argentina's Juan Roman Riquelme are available, but it's the young talents who are in the spotlight.
Beijing 2008 touts as one of the best line-ups in its 100-year history.
Here's a look at some of the players to watch at the tournament: 1.
Lionel Messi "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi" - Diego Maradona Only 21-year-old but already proved his quality of a world football star.
Voted second after Kaká in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award, when he was only 20.
Prevented by from the Olympic Games but FIFA finally ruled in favour of Argentina.
However, some of Argentina's group opponents wouldn't mind seeing him back to Spain.
2.
Alexandre Pato Most highly regarded player to come out of Brazil since Kaká, his AC Milan teammate.
The youngest player to score in the history of official FIFA competitions at 17 years and 102 days, breaking Pelé's 17 years and 239 days record.
Scored on his Brazil senior team debut against Sweden after 94 seconds with his first touch of the ball, equaling Pelé, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Zico as players who scored at least one goal on debut with Brazil.
3.
Sebastian Giovinco Talented youngster with dazzling dribbling skills and a smart playmaker.
Considered one of the most promising Italian talents despite only being in the early stages of his footballing career.
Argentine Lionel Messi is his favourite player.
There are several similarities between those two - same age, height, same preferred foot and, most importantly, a license to thrill.
4.
Sergio Agüero A possible strike partner for Lionel Messi in Beijing.
Got his nickname "Kun" for his likeness to a Japanese anime character.
The youngest player to debut in the Argentine First Division at only 15 years and 35 days, breaking the record of Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
Won two consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 and 2007, making him the second player to play on the winning side in two U-20 finals.
5.
Freddy Adu Touted as an American dream of a future football star.
Grew up in the port city of Tema, where he played football against men three times his age.
Signed a $1 million contract with Nike when he was just 13.
A year later, became the youngest American athlete in over a century to sign a major league professional contract, when most kids his age were entering high school.
Although the likes of Brazil's Ronaldinho and Argentina's Juan Roman Riquelme are available, but it's the young talents who are in the spotlight.
Beijing 2008 touts as one of the best line-ups in its 100-year history.
Here's a look at some of the players to watch at the tournament: 1.
Lionel Messi "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi" - Diego Maradona Only 21-year-old but already proved his quality of a world football star.
Voted second after Kaká in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award, when he was only 20.
Prevented by from the Olympic Games but FIFA finally ruled in favour of Argentina.
However, some of Argentina's group opponents wouldn't mind seeing him back to Spain.
2.
Alexandre Pato Most highly regarded player to come out of Brazil since Kaká, his AC Milan teammate.
The youngest player to score in the history of official FIFA competitions at 17 years and 102 days, breaking Pelé's 17 years and 239 days record.
Scored on his Brazil senior team debut against Sweden after 94 seconds with his first touch of the ball, equaling Pelé, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Zico as players who scored at least one goal on debut with Brazil.
3.
Sebastian Giovinco Talented youngster with dazzling dribbling skills and a smart playmaker.
Considered one of the most promising Italian talents despite only being in the early stages of his footballing career.
Argentine Lionel Messi is his favourite player.
There are several similarities between those two - same age, height, same preferred foot and, most importantly, a license to thrill.
4.
Sergio Agüero A possible strike partner for Lionel Messi in Beijing.
Got his nickname "Kun" for his likeness to a Japanese anime character.
The youngest player to debut in the Argentine First Division at only 15 years and 35 days, breaking the record of Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
Won two consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 and 2007, making him the second player to play on the winning side in two U-20 finals.
5.
Freddy Adu Touted as an American dream of a future football star.
Grew up in the port city of Tema, where he played football against men three times his age.
Signed a $1 million contract with Nike when he was just 13.
A year later, became the youngest American athlete in over a century to sign a major league professional contract, when most kids his age were entering high school.
