The first and only time superstar Messi attended the 2008 Olympics in Beijing (China) was when he won a gold medal, similar to his former teammate Neymar, while Ronaldo only won a bronze medal.
Football has been featured at the Summer Olympic Games for more than 120 years, with some of the world’s best players having represented their national teams. Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer Messi is one of many greats to have shone on the Olympic stage.
Which team has won the most titles at the Olympics?
Men’s football has been featured at every Summer Olympics except 1896 and 1932, while women’s football began in 1996. Since the game’s introduction , many global legends and rising stars have used the Olympics as a launching pad to shine for their national teams.
Unlike the usual format used in major tournaments, the Olympics require men’s teams to include players under the age of 23, plus three overage players. The women’s Olympic football tournament allows for a full national team, with no age restrictions.
The Brazilian Olympic men’s team won Tokyo 2020 but failed to qualify for Paris this season. Photo: GETTY,
The British and Hungarian Olympic teams have won the most Olympic gold medals in men’s football. For Britain, those gold medals came in 1900, 1908 and 1912, although they are not the only nation to have achieved this feat. Hungary also won in 1952, 1964 and 1968, equalling the British Olympic team’s tally.
In the women’s competition, the United States is the most successful team in Olympic history . They have won the most Olympic titles, with a total of four gold medals in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
At the 2012 London Olympics, American winger Megan Rapinoe scored a memorable goal directly from a corner kick, becoming the first player (male or female) to do so.
There is no age limit for the women’s Olympic teams, while the men’s teams are U-23+3. Photo: GETTY.
Superstar Messi adds to his collection
The Argentine striker won an Olympic gold medal in his first and only appearance at the 2008 Games. In Beijing, the Argentine Olympic team dominated the tournament, winning all their matches with superstar Messi scoring two goals. His outstanding performance earned Messi the title of best player.
Messi is not the only star to represent Argentina at the Olympics. At his Olympics, superstar Messi shared international success with legendary teammates Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero. Last year, superstar Messi also won the world championship and just won the Copa America for the second time in a row.
Another country known for producing notable talents who have competed at the Olympic Games is Brazil. However, unlike superstar Messi, two of the most famous strikers in the world, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, competed at the 1996 and 2008 Olympics – each winning a bronze medal.
Two-time Olympic player Neymar made his debut at the London 2012 Games – winning a silver medal for Brazil. In 2016, Neymar made history on home soil when he captained Brazil to their first ever Olympic gold medal.
Champions Brazil have failed to qualify for the men’s tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, although their women’s team are still hoping to win their first Olympic gold medal.
At Paris 2024, 38-year-old Brazilian football legend Marta will play her final international football tournament for her national team and will also be participating in the Olympics for the sixth time, after participating in the World Cup six times.
