Argentina's squad for the men's football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will include four members of the squad that won the World Cup two years ago in Qatar.
Albiceleste Under-23 coach Javier Mascherano will have 18 players at his disposal, including three over-aged players: goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli (32, Ajax), defender Nicolás Otamendi (36, Benfica) and striker Julián Álvarez (24, Manchester City).
The other World Cup winner on the list is attacking midfielder Thiago Almada (Atlanta United, MLS), who is 23.
National team skipper Lionel Messi, who won gold at the Beijing 2008 Games, will not be going to Paris.
A few weeks ago the 37-year-old explained that he had spoken "with Mascherano and it's a difficult time, because now there is the Copa América and it would be two or three months in a row that I would be away from [club side] Inter Miami."
"Above all, at this age, I'm not ready to play everything," added Messi.
The Albiceleste booked their ticket to Paris last February by beating Brazil 1-0 on the final day of the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Venezuela. Argentina will join Paraguay, the winners of the regional qualifiers, in France.
Argentina have taken part in the Olympic Games football on eight occasions, winning gold at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, and silver medals at Amsterdam 1948 and Atlanta 1996.
The full list of players chosen by Mascherano for the Olympic football tournament runs as follows:
Goalkeepers: Leandro Brey (Boca Juniors), Gerónimo Rulli (Ajax).
Defenders: Marcos Di Césare (Racing Club), Julio Soler (Lanús), Joaquín García (Vélez Sarsfield), Gonzalo Luján (San Lorenzo), Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica), Bruno Amione (Santos Laguna).
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernández (Boca), Cristian Medina (Boca), Kevin Zenón (Boca), Santiago Hezze (Olympiacos), Claudio Echeverri (River Plate), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United).
Forwards: Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid), Luciano Gondou (Argentinos Juniors), Julián Álvarez (Manchester City), Lucas Beltrán (Fiorentina).
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