Julian Alvarez, a striker for Manchester City, is among the four 2022 World Cup winners who have been selected to be part of Argentina’s squad for the Olympic Games in Paris. The other three players from the World Cup-winning team who will be joining Alvarez in the squad are Geronimo Rulli from Ajax, Nicolas Otamendi from Benfica, and Thiago Almada from Atlanta. The Olympic football tournament is specifically for Under-23 national teams, but each team is allowed to bring three overage players to strengthen their squads. Rulli, Otamendi, and Alvarez will be occupying Argentina’s three designated senior spots in the squad.
However, Otamendi initially expressed doubts about participating in the Olympics immediately following his participation in the Copa America, where Argentina is aiming to defend its title. Led by Lionel Messi, the team won all three group games and is set to face Ecuador in the quarter-finals. Mascherano, who himself won gold as a player in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, will be hoping to guide Argentina to further success in Paris. The team will compete against Morocco, Ukraine, and Iraq in Group B as they aim for a third Olympic gold.
The men’s football tournament at the Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9, with the final set to be held at the Parc des Princes. Following the conclusion of the Olympics, the Premier League season will kick off on August 16, with Manchester City, including Alvarez, starting their title defense against Chelsea on August 18. The addition of experienced players like Otamendi and Rulli to the squad is expected to provide valuable leadership and guidance to the younger players.
The Argentina Olympic men’s football squad has been finalized, with players representing clubs from around the world. The goalkeepers in the squad include Leandro Brey from Boca Juniors and Geronimo Rulli from Ajax. The defensive line-up features players like Marco Di Cesare from Racing Club, Julio Soler from Lanus, Nicolas Otamendi from Benfica, and Bruno Amione from Santos Laguna. The midfield is bolstered by players like Ezequiel Fernandez, Santiago Hezze, Cristian Medina, and Kevin Zenon from Boca Juniors. The forwards include Giuliano Simeone from Atletico Madrid, Luciano Gondou from Argentinos Juniors, Thiago Almada from Atlanta United, Claudio Echeverri from River Plate, Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, and Lucas Beltran from Fiorentina.
Additionally, there are several alternative players in the squad who can step in if needed, such as Aaron Quiros from Club Atletico Banfield, Federico Redondo from Inter Miami, Fabricio Iacovich from Estudiantes de La Plata, and Juan Nardoni from Racing Club de Avellaneda. The depth and diversity of the squad reflect the talent and potential that Argentina possesses in the world of football.
For fans who want to catch all the action from the Olympic Games, discovery+ is the ultimate streaming destination to watch Paris 2024 this summer. With exclusive coverage of the Olympics, viewers can witness every moment of the games as Argentina strives for success on the international stage. The combination of experienced veterans and young talents in the squad highlights the country’s commitment to excellence and dedication to achieving their goals. As the Olympic Games draw closer, anticipation and excitement continue to build, with fans eagerly awaiting the opportunity to support their favorite teams and athletes in pursuit of Olympic glory.
