The 2016 Rio Olympics promises to be an attacking extravaganza with plenty of promising players on show, headlined of course, by Brazil’s Neymar Jr. Looking past the Brazilian striker, there are plenty of contenders for finishing the top scorer in the Olympics, with plenty of talent throughout the striking talent pool amongst the 16 countries competing.
The Olympics are a wonderful opportunity to cast an eye on less than obvous choices, with Leandro Damiao earning the Golden Boot in the 2012 edition. Giovanni dos Santos and Neymar each scored thrice last time around, although their careers have taken wildly divergent paths since.
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Here are 5 Golden Boot contenders for the 2016 Rio Olympics, in no particular order:
1 Son Heung-Min
When it comes to South Korean striker Son Heung-Min, there is always an air of frustration surrounding the 24 year old. The Spurs frontman was considered his country’s big hope in his younger years, but has faded for both the Taegeuk Warriors and his club side, Tottenham Hotspur, with only flashes of his undoubted skill being shown over the last couple of seasons.
Having high-handedly turned down the chance to appear in the 2012 Olympics to ‘speed up his development for his club’, Son will look to this Olympic tournament in Rio as a chance for redemption. With only 4 goals in his entire Spurs career and averaging a goal every three games for his national side, Son has plenty of redeeming to do this summer.
However, surprisingly, there will not be as much pressure on the striker as South Korea have turned all their attention on the next big thing, Kwon Chang Hoon, who will provide plenty of ammunition for Son to score. The Korean Republic face off against Fiji, which ought to restore Son’s battered confidence, which will be needed against Germany and Mexico in Group C.
2 Takuma Asano
Even prior to his much-publicised move to Arsenal, Takuma Asano was highly spoken off, with many a pundit naming him one of the young stars to watch out for in the Olympics. Given the description of his Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger as ‘a talented young striker and very much one for the future’, Japan’s games will surely be watched by plenty of Arsenal fans.
Asano was named the J-League’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ last season, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima faithful treated to his searing pace as he ran at defenders to torment them. However, Asano has only scored 14 goals in 60 games for his J-League side, while a solitary goal in 5 games for Japan doesn’t exactly set hearts racing.
However, Asano has been fantastic for the Japan U-23 side, winning the AFC Championship earlier this year. Thus Asano is extremely familiar with much of his teammates, who form the bulk of the Olympic side as well. I wouldn’t bet against the striker nicknamed ‘The Jaguar’ to strike fear into the defences of Colombia, Nigeria and Sweden in Group B
3 Neymar Jr
Much like his teammate Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. does not have the fondest of memories with his national side. While countless words have been written about Brazil’s tragedy at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, much of the footballing populace has forgotten Neymar’s heartbreak with the Selecao in the 2012 London Olympics, losing out in the final to Mexico.
Brazil have never won an Olympic gold, a fact that is probably a stain on the national pride of the 2016 hosts. Thus Neymar even recused himself from the Copa America Centenario, opting to focus on earning a medal and becoming a history-maker in his homeland.
The Barcelona forward’s skills need no further enunciation, and with 46 goals for the senior national side, Brazil will be hoping Neymar lights up the 2016 Rio Olympics. Indeed, if his excellent form in the preparation games is anything to go by, the likes of Denmark, Iraq and South Africa in Group A can look forward to a torrid time.
Even if Neymar misfires, Brazil’s U-23 side has plenty of attacking talent as well, with highly sought after attackers Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa also present.
4 Teofilo Gutierrez
Colombia’s top heavy nature in the past couple of years, with the likes of Radamel Falcao, Carlos Bacca and Jackson Martinez all thriving, has meant that Teofilo Gutierrez has not earned as much of a reputation amongst the footballing audience as he ought to have. The 2016 Rio Olympics present the perfect chance for ‘Teo’ to break out of his countrymen’s shadows.
Regular watchers of South-American football will be well aware of Gutierrez’ qualities, with him having a fairly successful spell with Argentinian giants River Plate, before he was signed by Sporting Clube de Portugal last season. Teo is a very sacrificial striker, but with him captaining this young Colombian side, every attact should ideally end with him in the box, where can thrive.
Gutierrez was part of the James Rodriguez-inspired side that reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and will hope to go further in the Olympics this time around, with Japan, Nigeria and Sweden facing off against the headline-grabbing striker in Group B, with Teo hoping to add to the solitary goal he has scored in the Olympics.
5 Oribe Peralta
Mexico manager Raul Gutierrez was unable to lure Javier Hernandez to join up with the Olympic team, and thus has opted for Oribe Peralta as one of his three over-age players. It might turn out to be a stoke of fortune, as Peralta has great memories of the 2012 Rio Olympics, inspiring his side to a gold medal in London, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Brazil in the final, the first of which was the fastest ever goal in the Olympics.
Peralta has been ever-present in the Mexico side since, scoring 22 goals in 50 games for El Tri. The 32-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience, especially in the Olympics – he’s scored 10 goals in 14 games for Mexico in the Olympic edition – and I wouldn’t put it past him to rack up the goals in Brazil this time around as well.
Peralta has plenty of support within the Mexican side, especially with winger Hirving Lozano also present – their styles are complimentary, with the Manchester United-scouted Lozano known for his speed and crosses down the wings which will supply Peralta with plenty of ammunition for his intelligent movement in the box. With minnows Fiji involved in Group C of the Olympics, Peralta might have a great chance to plunder the goals, although he might find it difficult against Germany and South Korea.
