The third main event of the summer time begins subsequent week when the Olympics soccer competitors kicks off on Wednesday, July 24.
Sizzling on the heels of Euro 2024 and Copa America, the motion in France will see 16 groups vying for an Olympic gold medal. The event is an under-23s competitors, however with nations allowed to pick three overage gamers, we’ll nonetheless see some large names taking to the pitch.
Nevertheless, Lionel Messi is not going to be representing Argentina, that means the Inter Miami icon is not going to be including one other Olympic medal to the gold he gained 2008. FourFourTwo takes a have a look at why he will not be there.
VIDEO Rating Each England Participant At Euro 2024
Why is Lionel Messi not on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games?
Former Liverpool and West Ham midfielder Javier Mascherano is the Argentina U23s coach for the Olympics this summer time and his former teammate Messi was not included in his 18-man squad.
The overage slots have as an alternative been crammed by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi and Manchester Metropolis ahead Julian Alvarez.
This comes after Messi defined final month why he wouldn’t be taking part in in France this summer time, in what would possible be the 37-year-old’s last alternative to play within the Olympics.
The perfect options, enjoyable and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox each week.
“I talked to Mascherano and the reality is we each understood the state of affairs,” he advised ESPN. “It is exhausting [to think about the Olympics right now] as a result of we’re in Copa América. It could be two, three straight months of not being with the membership, and greater than something I am not at an age to be in every thing.
“I’ve to decide on rigorously, and it could be an excessive amount of to play two straight tournaments. I have been very fortunate to play within the Olympics, of profitable it along with Masche. It was a beautiful expertise on a soccer stage. Olympics, U20, reminiscences I will always remember.
“It is spectacular to be lucky sufficient to undergo all that. I hope that the fellows who get to go take pleasure in it in the identical method that I did as a result of it is particular. The Olympics are particular, totally different from the rest.”
Since explaining his determination to not play within the Video games, Messi gained the Copa America with Argentina however suffered an ankle harm within the last, which might have possible dominated him out for the event regardless.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino stated earlier this week that Messi would miss at the very least the MLS aspect’s subsequent two video games whereas they wait to see the extent of his ligament harm to his proper ankle.
Argentina have been drawn towards Morocco, Iraq and Ukraine in Group B, with their first match going down towards the African aspect on Wednesday, July 24 in Saint-Etienne.
Mascherano’s aspect will likely be in search of to win gold for the third time of their historical past following their 2004 victory when Carlos Tezev starred below Marcelo Bielsa’s administration earlier than they efficiently defended their title 4 years later with a squad that includes the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Juan Roman Riquelme, Angel Di Maria, Mascherano, Messi and Sergio Aguero.
Extra Olympic tales
Why is Olympic soccer under-23?
What’s the format for the soccer tournaments on the 2024 Olympics?
What’s the schedule for the soccer on the Olympics?
