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Five stars of the men's Olympics so far

Sports Mole picks its five stars of the men's Olympic tournament thus far.

It would probably be fair to state that Spain's elimination from the group stages of the competition has somewhat overshadowed the performances of some players at this summer's Olympics.

We thought that we would be mentioning the likes of Iker Muniain, Juan Mata and Javi Martinez among the stars of the tournament, but dark horses have unquestionably emerged from the wilderness.

With that in mind – and on the eve of the quarter-finals – Sports Mole looks at the five best players of the tournament thus far.

Moussa Konate (Senegal)

The star of the tournament so far? Quite probably. The 19-year-old currently leads the Olympic goalscoring charts with four goals in three games, while he has surely turned the heads of European scouts. He currently plys his trade with Maccabi Tel Aviv, but just how long they can keep him is another question entirely. Powerful, strong in the air, and a keen eye for a goal. The next Didier Drogba? Maybe.

Neymar (Brazil)

I'm not too sure if there are many superlatives left for the 20-year-old striker. The Santos man is already the star of his national side, even though he is barely out of his teens, while he has registered two goals in three matches at the Games. He is two behind the top scorer in the tournament as we enter the latter stages, but it would be hard to back against him notching a few in Brazil's possible (probable) march to the final.

Jerry Bengtson (Honduras)

Mention the Honduran's name before the tournament had begun, and it would have been 'Jerry who?!' That simply isn't the case after a fine showing in the Olympics thus far. The 25-year-old recently completed a move to MLS side New England Revolution, while he has impressed with his hold-up play this summer. That is without mentioning the three goals in three games that he has already notched. Next up for Honduras is Brazil. Over to you Jerry.

Craig Bellamy (Team GB)

Over the hill? Past it? Not on your life. The 33-year-old, who is apparently on his way out of Liverpool, has put on some showing in the Olympics thus far. Team GB have struck five goals in three group games, and he has been directly, or indirectly involved in all five. He absolutely terrorised Uruguay with his direct running last time out, while South Korea will not look forward to facing the Cardiff-born vice-captain in this sort of form.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Another man who has just put himself on the map with a big European move. The 20-year-old recently joined FC Basel from Al Mokawioon Al Arab - where he had struck 13 goals in his teens. Egypt just about snuck through to the latter stages with victory over Belarus, and surprise surprise Salah helped himself to a goal to take his tally to three goals in three games.

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