Argentina’s star Lionel Messi has ruled himself out of the upcoming Olympics, which Paris will host. Messi is all set to take part in the Copa America but said it won’ be possible for him to play back-to-back tournaments.
The talisman had a word with Argentina U23 coach Javier Mascherano and said that the coach understands his situation. Meanwhile, Argentina plays the opening game of the Copa America against Canada on June 20, with the final set to be played on July 14. As the Olympics are all set to kick off on July 26, Messi has made his intentions clear that he doesn’t want to play at the Games.
“I talked to Mascherano and the truth is we both understood the situation,” Messi said on ESPN Argentina. “It’s hard [to think about the Olympics right now] because we’re in Copa América. It would be two, three straight months of not being with the club, and more than anything I’m not at an age to be in everything.
“I have to choose carefully, and it would be too much to play two straight tournaments. I’ve been very lucky to play in the Olympics, of winning it together with Masche. It was a wonderful experience on a football level. Olympics, U20, memories I’ll never forget.
“It’s spectacular to be fortunate enough to go through all that. I hope that the guys who get to go enjoy it in the same way that I did because it’s special. The Olympics are special, different from anything else.”
Messi will miss five matches for Inter Miami in the MSL when he would be with the national team for Copa America. The Argentine could also miss the Leagues Cup if he takes a U-turn on his Olympic participation.
“I am pro national team, but in this case that there are two competitions [Copa América and Olympics] close together and that implies that a player is away for more than two months,” Tata Martino, a former Argentina head coach, said in February.
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