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Julián Álvarez And Nicolás Otamendi Selected For Argentina’s Olympic Squad
Argentina youth Coach, Javier Mascherano, included four World Cup winners in the squad he announced Tuesday for Argentina’s squad at the Olympics in Paris later this summer.
Manchester City striker, Julián Álvarez, and veteran Benfica defender, Nicolás Otamendi, were among those names. As expected, Lionel Messi was not included, after the Inter Miami star said in June that playing at the Olympics would be “too much” in an already busy summer.
Despite his struggles with injuries this year, Messi is currently participating in the Copa América alongside Álvarez and Otamendi, to defend the continental title that Argentina won in 2021. The victory in the Copa América served as a motivation for Argentina to claim the World Cup in 2022.
The 37-year-old superstar won the Olympic gold medal at Beijing in 2008.
After the completion of Copa America, Mascherano a two-time medalist player in 2004 and 2008, will include goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, Otamendi, and Álvarez in his squad Copa América is finished. Midfielder Claudio Echeverri, a recent signing for Manchester City from River Plate, will also join.
Argentina will play two friendlies in France before their Olympic tournament opener against Morocco on July 24. Argentina and Morocco are in Group B along with Iraq and Ukraine.
Argentina Olympic Squad
Goalkeepers: Leandro Brey, Geronimo Rulli
Defenders: Marco Di Cesare, Julio Soler, Joaquin Garcia, Gonzalo Lujan, Nicolas Otamendi, Bruno Amione
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernandez, Santiago Hezze, Cristian Medina, Kevin Zenon
Forwards: Giuliano Simeone, Luciano Gondou, Thiago Almada, Claudio Echeverri, Julian Alvarez, Lucas Beltran
