Jordi Alba and the 10 Brightest Young Football Stars at the Olympics

There are loads of great footballers at the Olympics.

While most of the best players in the world are not present, there are plenty of stars in the making. With the age rule, each country can showcase its best young talent.

While everyone still has at least one match left, we should take a look at the brightest stars in the tournament. These guys are ready to contribute at the top level already; they just need the chance.

Alexandre Pato, Brazil

Even though he is only 22 years old, it seems like Alexandre Pato has been playing for a long time.

He broke into AC Milan's senior team as an 18-year-old, and he has been a star ever since. Nevertheless, he still has a solid decade ahead of him. He's already a very good player, but he will only continue to get better.

Pato has scored more than 50 goals in Serie A, and there are plenty more in his future.

Edinson Cavani, Uruguay

Even though he has struggled in the Olympics, Edinson Cavani is a world-class striker.

He can do just about anything in the attack, and Uruguay will need him to start proving that. He's a very good player, he just needs to demonstrate that.

He's played well at Napoli over the past two years, and he's ready to make the jump to a major club. Chelsea have been chasing him, but Cavani could fit in just about anywhere.

Juan Mata, Spain

Unfortunately for Juan Mata, Spain have already been eliminated.

At just 24 years old, Mata has already won the World Cup, Champions League and European Championship. Meanwhile, he was named the club's best player for Chelsea in its Champions League-winning season.

So, despite this disappointment, Mata already has a pretty solid resume. Once he starts playing full time for Spain, the little maestro could enter talks about the world's best midfielder.

Oscar, Brazil

While we're talking about Chelsea players, why not mention their new signing, Oscar.

The Brazilian No. 10 has been a revelation this tournament. Everyone knew he would be a solid player, but no one realized it would happen so quickly. He has shown the ability to facilitate goals at an uncanny rate so far this tournament.

Furthermore, Oscar doesn't necessarily need to play in an attacking role. At Chelsea, he could potentially fill a Luka Modric-type role, where he plays a more reserved attacking position. If Oscar plays there, he would be able to drop dime assists on a weekly basis.

It will just be interesting how long it takes him to adjust to the physicality of the English Premier League. The quicker the better.

Luis Suarez, Uruguay

It seems like Luis Suarez has already played a full career, but the Uruguayan is only 25.

He has scored goals at the highest level of club football as well as international football. Suarez is dangerous in the attack, and he puts pressure on the defense like no one else.

Additionally, Suarez adds a nice level of controversy to every situation. When you have a player like that, it just makes everything a little more interesting, for better or for worse.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta is one of Spain's great full-backs in this tournament.

He had a very good season at Marseille, and he's looking to move to a bigger club. Chelsea are looking for a right-back, and Azpilicueta could be the answer. He's a dynamic attacker, but he's no slouch when he needs to make a tackle.

Azpilicueta is a very good player, and he's ready to make the jump to the top competition.

Giovani dos Santos, Mexico

I love watching Giovani dos Santos play.

Except when he faces the United States, because then he just gives me a headache.

Dos Santos is a dynamic midfielder, and he always plays well for Mexico. If he could replicate that success at the club level, Tottenham Hotspur would be one lucky club.

Unfortunately, Dos Santos still can't figure things out in England, and a move may be necessary. With that said, he has already proven himself for Mexico, and he will only continue to improve.

Neymar, Brazil

Neymar is certainly living up to the hype.

There was a lot of excitement around Neymar leading up to the Olympics, and (so far) he has delivered. By no means do I buy in to Pele's belief that Neymar is better than Messi, but that doesn't mean the Brazilian starlet isn't one of the most exciting players in the world.

He has played well in the tournament, including a brilliant free kick against Belarus. There is more left to come from Neymar, and if you're a real football fan, you will be watching.

Jerry Bengston, Honduras

The man who knocked Spain out of the Olympics could suddenly become a star in the Americas.

While he isn't quite ready to play in a top European league yet, Jerry Bengston has a nose for the goal. Moreover, he has a way of scoring when it matters most. He has scored in seven different games for the Honduras senior team, and they have never lost one of those games.

For Honduras now, Bengston has the team thinking about a medal. A draw would be enough to advance, at which point anything could happen. Bengston is a good scorer, and he could be the difference maker for Honduras.

Jordi Alba, Spain

Jordi Alba's coming-out party was at Euro 2012.

This was supposed to be an encore.

Unfortunately, Spain didn't convert on their chances in the Olympics, and they are going home early. Alba played a decent tournament (still one game left), but he didn't do anything special.

With that said, he will be a big hit at Barcelona this year. He's a great player, and even though he is only 23 years old, he is ready to make the Catalan giants' first team.