Brazilian winger Marquinhos, on loan from Arsenal with FC Nantes, is set to represent Brazil in the forthcoming Pan American Games, according to French media outlet Ouest-France.
The 20-year-old will miss approximately a month’s worth of fixtures for the Ligue 1 side.
Brazilian winger Marquinhos, 20, currently on loan from Arsenal to FC Nantes for the 2023-2024 Ligue 1 season, is set to participate in the upcoming Pan American Games.
The Pan American Games, a multi-sport event limited to the Americas, will run from 20 October to 5 November 2023 in Chile.
Consequently, Marquinhos will be unavailable for FC Nantes for approximately a month.
Marquinhos has had limited involvement in Nantes’ games since his loan move.
Marquinhos has started just one game under manager Pierre Aristouy, clocking only 89 minutes on the pitch.
Despite this, he managed to register an assist during Nantes’ impressive 5-3 win at home against Lorient.
He was not part of the squad that secured a victory away at Strasbourg on Friday after both Arsenal and FC Nantes agreed he could head to Chile.
The loan deal between Arsenal and FC Nantes does not include an option to make the move permanent.
The Pan American Games
The Pan American Games are a multi-sport event that features athletes from countries in the Americas, much like the Olympic Games on a smaller scale.
Held every four years in the year preceding the Summer Olympic Games, the Pan American Games are organised by the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO). The event includes a range of both Olympic and non-Olympic sports.
The first Pan American Games were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1951. Since then, the Games have grown in size and scope, attracting athletes from North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean. The event aims to foster good relations among countries in the Americas, providing a platform for top athletes from these nations to compete.
It is considered an important stepping stone for athletes aiming to compete at the Olympic Games.
The 2023 edition, as mentioned above, is scheduled to take place in Chile from 20 October to 5 November.
The event will include competitions in various sports, including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, and football among others. It is an opportunity for emerging athletes to make their mark on the international stage, potentially boosting their career and increasing their market value.
It’s also a chance for established athletes to test their form against continental competition as they prepare for future global events.
Each edition of the Pan American Games usually includes both men’s and women’s competitions across various sports. While the event may not carry the same global prestige as the Olympic Games, it is a significant occasion in the sports calendar for countries in the Americas.
Winning a medal at the Pan American Games is a source of national pride and can catapult athletes into the limelight, providing a strong foundation for further international success.