Summer Olympics 2012 Preview: Players Most Likely to Be Top Goalscorer in London

A lack of veterans doesn't mean a lack of talent.

Sure, the 2012 London Games—because of age restrictions—won't be home to all-world stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney over the next month. But, fortunately for diehard football fans, it will be home to young studs such as Neymar, Adrian, Hulk and Edinson Cavani, and that's just the very beginning of the list of superstar talent that will be competing for a gold medal. 

So while the Olympics don't get the exposure of a World Cup or even a Euro Cup, don't immediately dismiss them. 

These are the brightest young stars in the world. Some have already made the jump to elite club level, and some are well on their way. 

With that being said, let's take a look at players likely to follow in Giuseppe Rossi (four goals in 2008) and Carlos Tevez's (eight goals in 2004) footsteps.

Neymar, Brazil

The Brazilians are most people's favorite to take home gold, so that means the talented striker will get plenty of matches to tally up goals.

As long as he gets the chances, he'll take advantage. 

The Santos FC star has established himself as one of the most exciting players in the world at the tender age of 20, drawing interest from the top clubs around the world. 

Neymar has also made appearances for Brazil's national team, tallying nine goals in 18 caps for the senior team. 

The Olympics should be no match for this unbelievable talent. 

Adrian, Spain

The Spanish national team returns to the Olympics after failing to qualifying for the last two Games, but they come ready to make a run at the gold in 2012.

Spain may not have as much talent up front as Brazil, but there are still plenty of goal-scoring threats.

The No. 1 candidate has to be forward Adrian, who has been able to put the ball in the back of the net for Atletico Madrid at an extremely high rate. 

The Spaniards have other contenders, such as Juan Mata, Cristian Tello and even Jordi Alba, who proved during the Euro Cup he can be dangerous from the back. Nonetheless, Adrian should get the most chances. 

Edinson Cavani, Uruguay

Cavani is without a doubt my favorite sleeper to leave London as the top goalscorer. This past season, across all levels of competition, the talented 25-year-old amassed an amazing 33 goals in 44 starts. He racked up over three shots per contest and proved to be a constant threat around the box for Napoli. 

Cavani will have to share the load next to Luis Suarez, and while the Liverpool striker has been much more efficient in the Uruguay kit, I like the momentum Cavani enters with.

Both men will likely fill it up as Uruguay makes a run at a medal, but Cavani will steal the show.  

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