- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 03 Jul 2024 12:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Paris Olympics 2024: Legendary Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi is not part of the team for the Parsi Olympics 2024, which is slated to begin on July 26. Under coach Javier Mascherano's guidance, the team has included four players, who were part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winning team, and has the likes of Julián Álvarez and Nicolás Otamendi.
The 37-year-old star footballer is currently busy in the Copa America and is helping the team defend the title, which they had won in 2021 while also nursing injury issues.
He participated in the 2012 Beijing Olympics, in which he also clinched the gold medal.
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The events of men's football in the Olympics usually revolve around the U-23 team, but only three players above this age limit in any participating team are allowed.
Mascherano, who won the Olympic gold medal twice in 2004 and 2008, intends to include goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, alongside Otamendi and Álvarez in the team after Copa America ends.
At the same time, midfielder Claudio Echeverri, who recently joined Manchester City from River Plate, would also be joining the team.
Argentina will be playing two friendly matches to prepare for the multi-sport tournament and will lock horns with Morocco in their tournament opener on July 24. They are put in Group B, which has teams like Iraq and Ukraine.
Argentina squad for Paris Olympics:
Goalkeepers: Leandro Brey, Geronimo Rulli
Defenders: Marco Di Cesare, Julio Soler, Joaquín García, Gonzalo Lujan, Nicolas Otamendi, Bruno Amione
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernandez, Santiago Hezze, Cristian Medina, Kevin Zenon
Forwards: Giuliano Simeone, Luciano Gondou, Thiago Almada, Claudio Echeverry, Julian Alvarez, Lucas Beltran
