JAKARTA - Argentina captain Lionel Messi did not take part in defending the Tango Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was known from the recent announcement of the Albiceleste squad.
La Pulga is confirmed to be absent from the 2024 Paris Olympics which will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The decision was upheld by the coach's decision, Javier Mascherano, who called 18 players without Messi on the list.
In the names of the players released by Argentina on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Javier Mascherano chose to include defender Nicolas Otamendi and Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to fill the senior cast.
The inclusion of the two names, Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, who were previously predicted to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, clearly had no place. In the list of four reserve players, Messi's name was found to be nil.
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Quoted by ESPN, previously in June 2024, Messi had indeed decided to refuse to enter the Argentina squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This was stated by La Pulga with the consideration that it would be difficult to ask for permission to miss from his club, Inter Miami. Moreover, the player has also asked for a short quota to appear at the 2024 Copa America.
"I spoke to (Javier) Mascherano and actually we both understand the situation. It's hard (to think about the current Olympics) because we performed at the 2024 Copa America."
"I could not be with the club for two or three months in a row. More than anything, I'm not at the age to participate in anything," Messi was quoted as saying by ESPN.
"I have to choose carefully. Playing in two tournaments in a row will be tough. I was very lucky to be playing at the Olympics, winning it with Mascherano."
"It was an extraordinary experience at the level of football. The Olympics, Argentina U-20, are memories I will never forget," said Messi.
Despite the remarks made, Lionel Messi once led Argentina to win the 2008 Olympic gold medal which was held in China. At that time, Argentina was strengthened by Mascherano, Sergio Aguero, Di Maria, to Juan Riquelme.
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