Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi has ultimately failed to participate in the Olympics.
On Wednesday, on its website, the Argentine Football Association announced the final roster of 18 players selected to compete in the men’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Notably, Messi, who had received significant attention, was not included on the list.
Messi’s participation in the Olympics was a complex issue. Javier Mascherano, the Argentine football coach with a close relationship with Messi, initially hinted at selecting him as a wildcard. However, Messi’s club, Inter Miami CF, opposed him participating in both the Copa America and the Olympics this summer.
Ultimately, Messi is currently participating in Copa America but will not be attending the Olympics just three weeks away.
For the wildcards, Mascherano selected Nicolás Otamendi from Benfica, Julián Álvarez from Manchester City, and Gerónimo Rulli from Ajax.
Although Messi was left out, Argentina is a strong contender for the gold medal, with four players who have experienced winning the 2022 Qatar World Cup, including Thiago Almada (Atlanta).
Argentina, in Group B alongside Morocco, Iraq, and Ukraine, won the 2008 Beijing Games with Messi leading the team. Now, 16 years later, they aim to reclaim the top spot.