I think the main reason for why this is the case is because of the fact that the Olympics doesn’t just have football but a whole plethora of events.
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| @jrn_neyrma |
Although football is part of the Olympics, the competition has so many other events that it makes football less important. In contrast, The World Cup is just football if that makes sense. There is more emphasis on the sport which makes the tournament be taken more seriously. As a consequence, Olympic gold is not a sign you are an all-time great. I don’t really hear any criticism directed towards Cristiano Ronaldo for not winning it.
What some of the greatest players of all time have in common is winning the World Cup (for the most part). Maradona, Zidane, Pele, Beckenbauer, Maradona, Messi, Ronaldinho, Mattheus, Xaxi, Garrincha and many more. In comparison, a Gold Medal is not something all the greats have in common even though Neymar and Messi have one to their name.
Another reason why it isn’t taken as seriously is because of the players. Most of the players who play in the Olympics are not crucial players in their respective national teams otherwise it would feel like the World Cup. Exceptions like Neymar and Messi can be made but Messi wasn’t as crucial to Argentina as he is now. As for Neymar, Brazil was very lucky to have him for the Olympics because he was at the peak of his powers.
But those are just a few reasons explaining why from a football perspective the Olympics are not treated as seriously as the World Cup, Euros or Copa America."
