Heartbreak for Super Eagles: Former Arsenal star Henry dashes Nigeria's dream with Olympics squad

Nigeria's hopes of luring Michael Olise to the Super Eagles have been shattered after Arsenal legend Thierry Henry named the talented winger in his 18-man squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Henry, who is leading the French men's football team at the upcoming Olympic Games, has included the 22-year-old Olise in his star-studded lineup.

Olise, who has been on the radar of the Super Eagles despite having played for France at the youth level, has now firmly committed his international future to the country of his birth.

The winger, who holds eligibility to represent England, Algeria, and Nigeria, has chosen to don the colours of the French national team, dashing the hopes of Nigerian fans who were desperately hoping to see him in the famous green and white jersey.

Olise's call-up to the French squad for the Olympic games in Paris serves as the first part of heartbreak for the Super Eagles faithful, who have long believed that the Crystal Palace winger would one day switch allegiances to represent Nigeria.

But that possibility is now all but over, as Olise has been named in the main squad for the Olympics, alongside fellow former Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette and Eagles forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The talented winger, who has been in fine form for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, has recently completed a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for a reported fee of around £60 million.

Olise's impressive performances, which saw him score 10 goals and provide 6 assists in just 19 league appearances last season, have earned him a well-deserved move to one of Europe's biggest clubs.

In a related development, another Nigeria-eligible player, Lesley Ugochukwu, was named as one of the four players on the standby list for the French Olympic team.

Ugochukwu, who has struggled to establish himself at Chelsea, will be hoping for an opportunity to make the final squad should any of the selected players be unable to participate.

France will begin their Olympic campaign against the United States of America on July 24, before facing Guinea on the 27th and New Zealand on July 30.

The news of Olise's inclusion in the French Olympic squad will undoubtedly be a bitter pill for the Super Eagles to swallow, as they had high hopes of luring the promising young talent to their side.