Which Countries Have Won the Gold Medal in Soccer at the Olympics?

Soccer was first included in the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris. However, it was only a demonstration sport and did not feature a full tournament. The first official soccer tournament at the Olympics took place in the 1908 London Games. This championship included only men's teams, with Great Britain winning the gold medal. The British side also repeat the title in 1912. Women's soccer was introduced much later, making its debut at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Since then, it has become a regular part of the Games, with the USA women's team being particularly successful.

Initially, only amateur players were allowed to compete in the Olympic football tournament. This rule changed over time, allowing professional players to participate, which significantly increased the competition's quality and prestige. Currently, each team's roster is composed of 3 players over the age of 23, with the rest being under that age.

Elite figures like Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. have won the gold medal in soccer. The Argentine was a key player for the Argentina national team in the 2008 Olympics, where they defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the final to secure the gold. The Brazilian forward won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He played a crucial role for the Brazil national team, which defeated Germany in the final, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time. Neymar scored the decisive penalty in the shootout to secure Brazil's first Olympic gold in men's soccer.