Argentina arrived at Tokyo 2020 full of hope after collecting good results on their way to the Summer Olympics. La Albiceleste showed up at the ultimate sports event with a young squad full of promising talents, lacking more experienced players. Lionel Messi, one of the greatestof all time, is not representing his country at the Olympic Games.
Head Coach Fernando Batista has been doing a remarkable job with the U-23s. Histeam hassucceededat the 2019 Pan American Games at Lima andat the Conmebol Pre-Olympic tournament, where it clinched a spot at the current Olympics.
During Batista’s tenure, many Argentine prodigies have emerged. But more importantly, he selectedthe same players frequently to have a good collective unit for the Olympics. Lionel Messi wasn’t part of this process and he isn’t involvedat Tokyo 2020 either.
Lionel Messi won’t be playing for Argentina at Tokyo 2020
Lionel Messi at Beijing 2008, when Argentina won the gold medal in soccer. (Getty)
Even though every national team is allowed to name up to three players over 24years of age – the International Olympic Committee extended the age limit due tothe tournament’s postponement in 2020 –Fernando Batista only called up one, Jeremías Ledesma (28).
Lionel Messi is not playing at the Olympics forvarious reasons, but mainly because he has just participated inthe 2021 Copa America,finally achievinghis first international tournament with Argentina. Now he is currently on vacationto have a break after a demanding season with Barcelona and to get some rest before the 2021/22 campaign.
After helping Argentinawin the gold medal at Beijing 2008, Messi has onlyparticipated with the senior national team.The U-23s are way behind him, not only due to his 34 years of age, but also because it’s time for youngsters to have their chances to developlike the ones he had when he was younger. After all, Messihas already won a gold medaland his main priority was winning atrophy with Argentina’s senior squad.
