Olympics Men's Football: Picking a Best XI from the 16 Nations

The 2012 Olympics men's football tournament is set to begin this week, and that means it's time to select a pre-tournament best XI.

Once again, the tournament will feature mostly U-23 players, with each team allowed three overage selections. But even with the relative lack of full internationals, we'll see dozens of top-class talents on display all over Great Britain.

Check out my selections and then leave your own in the comments below.

Goalkeeper: David De Gea, Spain

David De Gea experienced a rough start to his Manchester United career but came around with a string of solid—and at times spectacular—performances down the stretch.

With De Gea in the net, Spain should have a solid foundation on which to build.

Full-Back: Marcelo, Brazil

The Olympic tournament will feature a number of talented full-backs, including Great Britain's Micah Richards. But Marcelo gets the nod here for his ability to attack and defend.

That two-way style should fit in well with Brazil's plans this summer.

Full-Back: Jordi Alba, Spain

Marcelo and Jordi Alba are both left-sided players, but we'll ignore that for now. Neither player can be left out of this squad.

Alba was Spain's breakout player during the triumphant Euro 2012 run, and his strong performances were followed by a high-profile move to Barcelona. Look for Alba to continue impressing at the Olympics.

Center Back: Thiago Silva, Brazil

Thiago Silva recently completed a big-money move from AC Milan to Paris Saint-Germain. If you didn't already know, you're about to find out why Silva is one of the world's most sought-after defenders.

Strong in the air both defensive and offensively, Silva will serve Brazil as a towering rock at the back.

Center Back: Sebastian Coates, Uruguay

Sebastian Coates raised eyebrows with a highlight-reel goal for Liverpool last season, but he made his name first as a central defender.

If Uruguay make a run this summer, Coates will play a starring role.

Midfielder: Marco Fabian, Mexico

Midfielder Marco Fabian lit up the scoreboard during Mexico's triumphant Toulon Tournament campaign earlier this year.

With his creativity, vision and speed, the Olympics might be next.

Midfielder: Ryan Giggs, Great Britain

Ryan Giggs is 38, but don't tell him that.

The ageless Welsh midfielder turned in another standout campaign for Manchester United last season and only seems to improve with age.

If Team GB is to have any success this summer, Giggs must be at his best.

Midfielder: Juan Mata, Spain

Juan Mata appeared only briefly for Spain at Euro 2012, but that speaks more to Spain's depth than Mata's talent.

Mata is a creative midfielder/forward whose influence should make Spain one of the favorites.

Midfielder: Gaston Ramirez, Uruguay

Two years ago at the World Cup, forward and captain Diego Forlan played a withdrawn role and served as the vital playmaker in Uruguay's run to the semifinals.

Forlan isn't part of Uruguay's Olympic team, and at 33, his influence is waning. Enter Gaston Ramirez, who could be Forlan's successor in the playmaker role.

Ramirez's performance at the Olympics will tell us plenty about Uruguay's future.

Forward: Edinson Cavani, Uruguay

Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani is valued by his club Napoli at €100 million.

They have good reason to do so. Working with a talented supporting cast at Napoli last season, Cavani was at times brilliant and at others, unstoppable.

Will he be able to recreate that form with Uruguay?

Forward: Neymar, Brazil

If you're one of the 10 people left in the world who doesn't know about Neymar, get ready.

He's expected to be the next big thing—not only in Brazilian football, but in world football itself.

Here's a sneak peek. Let's see if he can top that this summer.

Your Turn

Here's my pre-Olympics best XI.

David De Gea (ESP); Marcelo (BRA), Jordi Alba (ESP), Thiago Silva (BRA), Sebastian Coates (URU); Marco Fabian (MEX), Ryan Giggs (GB), Juan Mata (ESP), Gaston Ramirez (URU); Edinson Cavani (URU), Neymar (BRA).

What's your pre-Olympics best XI?

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