Coach Javier Mascherano included four world champions in the list he announced Tuesday for Argentina's squad for the Paris Olympics later this summer.
Among those names were Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez and veteran Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi. Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi was not among the names included, after the Inter Miami star said in June that taking part in the Olympics would be “too much” in an already busy summer.
Messi, who has struggled with injuries this year, is now playing in the Copa America alongside Alvarez and Otamendi, aiming to defend the continental title the team won in 2021. That victory served as a springboard for Argentina to lift the World Cup in 2022.
The 37-year-old superstar won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008.
Mascherano, who won Olympic gold medals as a player in 2004 and 2008, will add goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, Otamendi and Álvarez to his squad once the Copa América is over. He will also be joined by midfielder Claudio Echeverri, a recent signing by Manchester City from River Plate.
Argentina will play two friendlies in France before its Olympic tournament opener against Morocco on July 24. Argentina and Morocco are in Group B along with Iraq and Ukraine.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
