Argentina Names Strong Squad for Olympic Football Tournament
Argentina will be among the favorites when the men’s football tournament kicks off at the Olympic Games in Paris. Javier Mascherano has named a formidable 18-man squad, featuring four 2022 World Cup winners, including Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez, who played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup victory, is joined by fellow world champions Geronimo Rulli of Ajax, Nicolas Otamendi of Benfica, and Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada.
The Olympic football tournament is predominantly for Under-23 national teams, but each team is permitted to bring three overage players to bolster their squads. Rulli (32), Otamendi (36), and Alvarez (24) take up Argentina’s three allotted senior spots.
Notably absent from the squad is Lionel Messi. The 36-year-old legend, who helped Argentina clinch the World Cup, ruled himself out of the Olympics last month, stating it would be “too much” to participate in both the Copa America and the Olympics.
Messi’s team has performed impressively in the Copa America, winning all three group games to top their section and will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals on Thursday in Houston, Texas.
Mascherano, a former gold medallist in 2004 and 2008, aims to inspire further dominance for Argentina in Paris. The South Americans will face Morocco, Ukraine, and Iraq in Group B as they start their quest for a third gold medal. The Olympic men’s football tournament runs from July 24 to August 9, with the final set to be held at the Parc des Princes.
The Premier League season kicks off on August 16, with Alvarez’s Manchester City beginning their title defense away to Chelsea on August 18.
Argentina Olympic Men’s Football Squad
Goalkeepers: Leandro Brey (Boca Juniors), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax)
Defenders: Marco Di Cesare (Racing Club), Julio Soler (Lanus), Joaquin Garcia (Velez Sarsfield), Gonzalo Lujan (San Lorenzo), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Bruno Amione (Santos Laguna)
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernandez (Boca Juniors), Santiago Hezze (Olympiacos), Cristian Medina (Boca Juniors), Kevin Zenon (Boca Juniors)
Forwards: Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Luciano Gondou (Argentinos Juniors), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Claudio Echeverri (River Plate), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Lucas Beltran (Fiorentina)
Alternatives: Aaron Quiros (Club Atletico Banfield), Federico Redondo (Inter Miami), Fabricio Iacovich (Estudiantes de La Plata), Juan Nardoni (Racing Club de Avellaneda)
