Lionel Messi to Miss Paris Olympics, Four World Cup Winners Included in Argentine Squad

Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi will not be part of Argentina’s squad for the upcoming Olympic Games set to begin later this month in Paris. Despite his illustrious career and previous gold medal win in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Messi will sit out due to injuries and his ongoing participation in the Copa America.

The Argentine team, under the leadership of Coach Javier Mascherano, will include four players from the nation’s triumphant World Cup squad. Among them are notable names like Julián Álvarez and Nicolás Otamendi. The men’s football competition at the Olympics primarily features under-23 teams but allows for the inclusion of up to three overage players.

Mascherano has strategically included goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, Otamendi, and Álvarez in his plans for the Olympic roster post-Copa America. Additionally, the squad will feature midfielder Claudio Echeverri, who recently transferred to Manchester City from River Plate.

Before their opening Olympic match against Morocco on July 24, Argentina will play two friendly matches in France. They are placed in Group B, alongside teams from Iraq and Ukraine.

Argentina’s squad for Paris Olympics 2024:

Goalkeepers:

• Leandro Brey (Boca Juniors)
• Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax)

Defenders:

• Marco Di Cesare (Racing Club)
• Julio Soler (Lanus)
• Joaquin Garcia (Velez Sarsfield)
• Gonzalo Lujan (San Lorenzo)
• Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
• Bruno Amione (Santos Laguna)

Midfielders:

• Ezequiel Fernandez (Boca Juniors)
• Santiago Hezze (Olympiacos)
• Cristian Medina (Boca Juniors)
• Kevin Zenon (Boca Juniors)

Forwards:

• Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
• Luciano Gondou (Argentinos Juniors)
• Thiago Almada (Botafogo de Brasil)
• Claudio Echeverri (River Plate)
• Julián Álvarez (Manchester City)
• Lucas Beltran (Fiorentina)