미국의 스포츠 전문 사이트인 SI.com에서 올림픽 축구에 출전하는 16개 국가의 대표 선수들 가운데 주목할 만한 선수들을 팀 당 한두 명씩 선정했습니다.

한국 대표팀에서는 역시나 김동진이 선정되었습니다. 지난해 러시아 리그에서 우승을 차지하고 2007-2008 UEFA컵에서 우승을 차지한 제니트 소속이라는 점이 크게 작용한 듯 싶네요. 박지성에 대한 언급도 있구요.

역시나 가장 먼저 눈에 딱 들어오는 건 아르헨티나의 리오넬 메시네요. 올림픽 축구의 매력인 와일드카드를 제외하면 모두가 23세 미만이기에 미래의 월드컵 스타를 미리 만나볼 수 있다는 점이겠죠. 근데 이번엔 와일드카드로 유명한 선수들이 좀 많이 출전하는군요.

제 전문 종목이 아닌지라 일일이 해석은 하지 않았구요. 사진과 원문 기사만 그대로 올려봅니다.

Drogba (left) and Kalou, who helped the Ivory Coast to a fourth-place finish in the African Cup of Nations this past winter, also comprise a formidable strike team during the domestic season for London club Chelsea.

The runner-up to Kaká in FIFA World Player of the Year balloting headlines a squad loaded with top-flight talent. The team's overage selections include Boca Juniors midfielder Juan Riquelme, Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano and Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso.

North, an Indiginous Australian central defender, became the first-ever Aboriginal captain of the senior national team during a 2010 World Cup qualifier earlier this year.

Considered one of Serbia's most promising young talents, the 21-year-old defender helped his country to a surprising runner-up finish in last year's U-21 European Championships.

After helping the Dutch win the U-21 European Championship last summer, Drenthe earned a contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid, where the left back scored two goals in 18 appearance this past season.

The Olympic Marseille defender hopes to lead the Super Eagles to a repeat of their gold medal at the 1996 Games.

The 20-year-old striker remains the youngest Japanese player to make a professional debut. He's also the youngest goalscorer in J. League history, striking for Tokyo Verdy 1969 against Jubilo Iwata at age 15 years, 10 months and six days. Morimoto currently plays for Calcio Catania in Serie A.

America's veteran striker -- he's 12 years older than any of his Olympic teammates -- has played in three World Cups with the senior team and earned 95 caps.

The captain of the Chinese national team plays for English club Charlton Athletic and remained with the club through their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship following the 2006-07 season.

Killen helped Celtic to a Scottish Premier League title this past season in his first year with the club, scoring one goal in 27 appearances.

Since spending most of Barcelona's disastrous 2007-08 season unfit and unhappy on the sidelines, critics worldwide have fired away at the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Can the 28-year-old midfielder regain elite form and help a stacked Brazil side win the country's first-ever gold medal in this tournament?

Vanden Borre helped Belgium to a surprise semifinal appearance in last year's U-21 European Championships. He currently plays right back for Genoa in the Italian top division.

Without English Premier League midfielders Ji-Sung Park and Do-Heon Kim, Korea represents an unknown quantity entering the Olympic tournament. Kim, fresh off his UEFA Cup victory with Zenit St. Petersburg, looks to carry the momentum from his domestic campaign into Beijing.

The three-time African Player of the Year hopes to lead the Indomitable Lions to a second gold medal in three Olympic tournaments. Cameroon also won the gold at Sydney in 2000, upsetting Brazil in the quarterfinals along the way.

The 34-year-old Honduran striker is one of the oldest players in the tournament. He's also one of the most prolific attackers in Beijing, having tallied 46 goals in 79 international appearances.

Montolivo, the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year in 2007, hopes to lead the Italians to their first goal medal in soccer since 1936.

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