Alvarez to represent Argentina at Olympics in Paris

Four World Cup champions were named in the Argentina roster that coach Javier Mascherano unveiled on Tuesday for the country’s participation in the Olympics in Paris later this summer.

Among those names were Nicolás Otamendi, a seasoned Benfica defender, and Julián Álvarez, a striker for Manchester City. Lionel Messi was not, as was to be expected, given that the Inter Miami star had stated in June that competing in the Olympics would be “too much” during an already hectic summer.

Álvarez, Otamendi, and Messi, who has suffered with injuries this season, are currently competing in the Copa América with the goal of defending the continental title the squad won in 2021. Argentina used that triumph as a springboard to win the World Cup in 2022.

2008 saw the 37-year-old great win the gold medal in Beijing.

After Copa América is over, Mascherano—who won the gold medal in both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics as a player—will bolster his team with goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, Otamendi, and Álvarez. Claudio Echeverri, a midfielder who recently joined Manchester City from River Plate, will also be joining.

Before facing Morocco in their opening match of the Olympic competition on July 24, Argentina will play two friendlies in France. Morocco and Argentina are in the same group as Ukraine and Iraq.