Messi Out of Argentina's Olympic Squad

Lionel Messi will not be part of Argentina's squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics due to his participation in the Copa America and injury concerns. Coach Javier Mascherano has included four World Cup winners in the 18-player Olympic squad: Julián Álvarez, Nicolás Otamendi, Gerónimo Rulli, and Claudio Echeverri. Despite club season conflicts, Mascherano secured their release for the tournament, which begins on July 24 against Morocco. Argentina, placed in Group B, will also face Iraq and Ukraine. Messi, a gold medalist in the 2008 Olympics, aims to defend the Copa America title instead.