Messi will not join Argentina at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 36-year-old Inter Miami star is preparing with the Argentina national team for the Copa America title defense campaign taking place from June 20 to July 14 in the United States.

Lionel Messi turned down the chance to participate in the Olympics in Paris due to concerns about his health at the age of 36 (Photo: Getty)

Argentina Olympic coach Javier Mascherano said Messi had received an invitation to attend the tournament in Paris. However, the 36-year-old player spoke out and said that attending the Olympics would be too much for him at his age.

"I spoke with Mascherano and the truth is that we both understand the situation. It's difficult to think about the Olympics right now because we have the Copa America. It would be two or three months without Inter Miami, and above all I'm not at the age where I can play every tournament.

I have to choose carefully, it would be too much to play two international tournaments in a row. I was very lucky to compete in the Olympics and win with Mascherano in 2008," Messi shared.

Lionel Messi played alongside Mascherano for Argentina's Olympic team at the 2008 Olympics. The duo won gold at the Beijing Olympics, beating Nigeria 1-0 in the final.

Messi contributed 11 goals and 12 assists in 12 matches to help Inter Miami lead the rankings (Photo: Getty)

Despite his regret at missing out on the chance to add to his medal tally from the Olympics, Messi is hopeful Argentina's players heading to Paris will have as good a time as he did.

"It's been amazing to be lucky enough to experience all of that. I hope that the people who get to be there enjoy it as much as I did because it's so special. It's been an amazing experience that I'll never forget," the Inter Miami star said.

According to the regulations, teams participating in the men's football event at the Olympics can name three players over the age of 23 in the squad. Messi gave his chance to other Argentine stars such as Emiliano Martinez, Otamendi and Julian Alvarez.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/messi-khong-cung-argentina-du-olympic-paris-2024-20240614173526236.htm