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This is Argentina's Squad for Paris 2024! Will Messi Play?
The list of the Argentine national team, led by Javier Mascherano for the Paris Olympic Games, includes three major figures from the senior team: forward Julián Álvarez, central defender Nicolás Otamendi, and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.
After weeks of speculation about who would occupy the three spots available for players over 23 years old, with names like Lionel Messi or Ángel di María being mentioned, the team coached by the former River Plate and FC Barcelona player will finally feature three members of the "Albiceleste", champions of the world in Qatar 2022.
Both the Manchester City forward and the Benfica defender seemed to have secured their places in the Olympic competition, though the goalkeeper position presented more uncertainty.
Despite rumors placing the Scaloneta's starting goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa, among the chosen ones, the Mar del Plata native stated days ago that his club would not allow him to participate in either the Copa América or the Olympic Games. This tipped the balance in favor of the Ajax goalkeeper from Amsterdam.
Additionally, the list published by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) highlights another hero from the conquest in Qatar: attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, recently transferred to Brazil's Botafogo from MLS's Atlanta United.
Among the main novelties is Atlético Madrid striker Giuliano Simeone, son of the former player and current coach of the Madrid team, who received his first call-up last month after a season marred by a fractured tibia and fibula, which kept him off the field for five months.
On the other hand, Boca Juniors is the Argentine club that contributes the most players to the list, with four: goalkeeper Leandro Brey and midfielders Ezequiel Fernández, Cristian Medina, and Kevin Zenón. This ensures a significant presence of Xeneize players in the midfield of Argentina's under-23 team.
List of call-ups for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games:
- Goalkeepers: Leandro Brey (Boca Juniors) and Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax, Netherlands)
- Defenders: Marco Di Césare (Racing Club), Julio Soler (Lanús), Joaquín García (Vélez Sarsfield), Gonzalo Luján (San Lorenzo), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica, Portugal), Bruno Amione (Santos Laguna, Mexico)
- Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernández (Boca Juniors), Santiago Hezze (Olympiacos, Greece), Cristian Medina (Boca Juniors), Kevin Zenón (Boca Juniors)
- Forwards: Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid, Spain), Luciano Gondou (Argentinos Juniors), Thiago Almada (Botafogo, Brazil), Claudio Echeverri (River Plate), Julián Álvarez (Manchester City, England), Lucas Beltrán (Fiorentina, Italy).