These Soccer Stars Have Come to Play *and* Slay
What to watch for off the field in Paris, from global star quality, to pre-tournament story-lines that make women’s sports superior.
This is Part Five of the Soccer Freaks’ fan guide for the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Click here to start from the beginning.
While the extreme levels of competition and talent at this tournament will rightfully take center stage, the vibes brought by the players are sure to also reach new heights. Come for the nutmegs and bangers, stay for the humans at the heart of the sport.
Star Quality
From viral cellies to drippy game day fits, women’s soccer truly overfloweth with star quality. Here are a few particularly swaggy players who are sure to serve at this Olympics:
Trinity Rodman, USA
Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria
Alexia Putellas, Spain
Marta, Brazil (playing in her 6th—and final—Olympics!)
Bruninha, Brazil
Marie-Antoinette Katoto, France
Racheal Kundananji, Zambia
Stories to Love
USWNT makes history at this Olympics with their first all-Black frontline. As USWNT legend Brianna Scurry (one of two Black players on the famous 1999 team) said recently, “Representation is always important, and you always know that in your mind, but actually seeing it now really come to fruition—because it takes time—these kids saw the 2015 [team] play, and then 2019, and saw us play, and now they’re doing it themselves. … It’s just really cool to see that happen.”
Wendie Renard and Alexandre Lacazette have been friends since 2006, when they went to high school together in Lyon. This summer they will each captain France at a home Olympics.
USWNT teammates Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma are both competing in their first Olympics together after having previously been classmates and teammates at Stanford in 2018 and 2019 (winning the NCAA Championship together in 2019).
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer and absolute legend, Marta, will compete in her 6th and final Olympics before retiring from Brazil’s national team at the end of this year. Watch her emotional press conference at the 2023 World Cup.
Before heartbreakingly having to withdraw due to injury a day before New Zealand was set to play their first game, Angel City FC captain and fan favorite Ali Riley was set to compete in her 5th Olympics. The powerful Haka shared at her Angel City Olympics send off is a must watch.
Australia’s Michelle Heyman came back from international retirement earlier this year after star forward Sam Kerr tore her ACL. When it was confirmed that Kerr’s injury would keep her off the pitch this Olympics, Heyman stepped up. Since coming back, she’s scored a ton and the fans are loving it. She’s experiencing first-hand the ways Australia’s support of the women’s game has changed in her six years away.
Favorites to Follow
For more officially official coverage, here are some favorites: