Argentina have selected Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi for their Olympic squad in Paris, even though both are currently competing in the Copa America in the United States.
The 18-man Olympic team is under the guidance of Javier Mascherano, a two-time gold medalist, who has included the 36-year-old Otamendi and the 32-year-old goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli as his overage players.
Alvarez from Manchester City and Otamendi from Benfica have already played in more than 50 matches this season for both club and country.
Rulli, also participating in the Copa America, will join Mascherano’s team after the tournament, where Argentina have reached the quarter-finals.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, has opted out of the Olympics, citing the need to manage his workload at 37 years old.
The men’s football event at the Olympics starts on 24th July, just 10 days following the Copa America final. Argentina will compete in Group C alongside Morocco, Iraq, and Ukraine in the 16-team tournament.
ARGENTINA SQUAD FOR OLYMPICS
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
