Henry’s final call for the Games
Thierry Henry, in charge of leading France at the Paris 2024 Olympics, released his final list this Mondayin which it does not appear no player from the current senior team, which includes Sevilla player Loïc Badé, veteran scorer Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich).
As expected, Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga are officially out; the athletic Antoine Griezmann; and Olivier Giroud, among others who had shown themselves as applicants. All of them are, at this moment, in the European Championship in Germany and tomorrow they will face Spain in the semifinals.
Because the Olympic events are not part of the FIFA calendar, clubs are not obliged to release their players. Despite the efforts of Henry and his federation, the Real Madrid, Atlético and other top clubs have refused to have their players called up.
The only first-rate name Henry has been able to count on has been Lacazette, 33 years old. Prolific scorer in the Arsenal (2017-2022) and the Lyon -the entity of his loves-, the striker continues to score in this last club. This past season ended with 19 goals in Ligue 1.
Sevilla’s central defender also stands out, Loic Badé (24 years old), the forward Rayan Cherki and the British nationalized French Michael Olise, transferred on Sunday Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich in exchange for about 60 million euros.
The 18 called by France for the Olympic Games
Goalkeepers: Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC) and Guillaume Restes (Toulouse).
Defenses: Loïc Badé (Sevilla), Bradley Locko (Brest), Castello Lukeba (Leipzig), Soungoutou Magassa (Monaco), Kiliann Sildillia (Friburg) and Adrien Truffert (Rennes).
Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche (Mónaco), Joris Chotard (Montepellier), Désiré Doué (Rennes), Manu Koné (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Enzo Millot (Stuttgart).
Fronts: Rayan Cherki (Lyon), Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) and Michael Olise (Crystal Palace).