Argentina Olympic national team football roster for Paris 2024: Squad, match schedule with Alvarez included, no Messi or Garnacho

Julian Alvarez Argentina
(Getty Images)

One of the top medal hopes for Argentina at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be through the men's football tournament.

The team, led by former Albiceleste and Barcelona star Javier Mascherano, will seek to repeat the gold-medal glory of Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Mascherano was part of both of those winning sides, while Lionel Messi tasted glory in 2008. There had been speculation that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner would be part of the group for Paris, but given he is playing at the Copa America finals and is midway through his club season with Inter Miami, it comes as little surprise that Messi will not be at the Olympics this time.

Below is the squad selected by Mascherano for the football tournament, which begins in late July.

MORE: Lionel Messi's all-time record at the Copa America

Argentina football roster for Paris Olympic Games 2024

Argentina's squad for the Paris Olympic Games comprises 18 players. Of these, 15 are in the Under-23 age category, while three senior players — with no upper age limit — are permitted. In addition, four reserve players are named, who will be on standby in case of an injury to a squad member.

Below is the roster selected by coach Javier Mascherano following a handful of withdrawals due to clubs' refusal to send their players (Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea, Lucas Esquivel of Athletico Paranaense, Porto's Alan Varela, Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez, and Valentin Barco of Brighton & Hove Albion were all denied call-ups).

Player Club Position
Geronimo Rulli* Ajax (NED) Goalkeeper
Leandro Brey Boca Juniors (ARG) Goalkeeper
Marco Di Cesare Racing Club (ARG) Defender
Bruno Amione Santos Laguna (MEX) Defender
Nicolas Otamendi* Benfica (POR) Defender
Julio Soler Lanus (ARG) Defender
Joaquin Garcia Velez (ARG) Defender
Gonzalo Lujan San Lorenzo (ARG) Defender
Kevin Zenon Boca Juniors (ARG) Midfielder
Ezequiel Fernandez Boca Juniors (ARG) Midfielder
Cristian Medina Boca Juniors (ARG) Midfielder
Claudio Echeverri River Plate (ARG) Midfielder
Santiago Hezze Olympiacos (GRE) Midfielder
Thiago Almada Botafogo (BRA) Midfielder
Julian Alvarez* Manchester City (ENG) Forward
Luciano Gondou Argentinos Juniors (ARG) Forward
Lucas Beltran Fiorentina (ITA) Forward
Giuliano Simeone Atletico Madrid (SPA) Forward

*Denotes over-age players

The four reserve players:

Player Club Position
Fabrizio Iacovich Estudiantes de la Plata (ARG) Goalkeeper
Aaron Quiros Banfield (ARG) Defender
Juan Nardoni Racing Club (ARG) Midfielder
Federico Redondo Inter Miami (USA) Midfielder

Who are Argentina's overage players for the Olympics 2024?

Argentina called up three overage players for their squad for the Paris Olympics. Selecting these senior stars posed a problem given that the tournament is held close to the end of the Copa America and at a time when club teams are getting preseason preparations underway.

After learning of their respective clubs' willingness to release them for the tournament, Mascherano decided on Geronimo Rulli (Ajax), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica) and Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) as his three overage players. Along with Botafogo's Thiago Almada, these are the members of Mascherano's playing squad who were also part of the World Cup-winning roster in 2022.

There was speculation for some time about the possibility of Messi being at the Olympic Games, but that prospect was quickly ruled out. Angel Di Maria also turned down a possible call-up, while Emiliano Martinez had hoped to be involved but was not given permission by Aston Villa.

Alejandro Garnacho was another tipped to be part of the Olympics roster, and it was reported in Argentina last month that Manchester United had blocked his call-up to Mascherano's squad. However, according to the Manchester Evening News, United were never asked by Argentina to release the winger for the Paris Games.

When does the Olympics football tournament start?

The football tournament at the 2024 Olympics began on July 24 and concludes on August 10.

Argentina Olympic Games football schedule, group

Argentina were drawn into Group B for the men's football tournament at the Paris Games. They will face Morocco, Iraq, and Ukraine in that pool.

Times below are listed in local Paris time, CEST.

For ET (US/Canada) -6hrs, for BST (UK) -1hrs, for IST (India) +3:30 hrs, for AEST (Australia) +8hrs.  

Date Match Venue Time (CEST, local)
Wed, July 24 Argentina vs. Morocco Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Etienne) 3:00 p.m.
Sat, July 27 Argentina vs. Iraq Groupama Stadium (Lyon) 3:00 p.m.
Tues, July 30 Argentina vs. Ukraine Groupama Stadium (Lyon) 5:00 p.m.
Author(s)
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Juan es productor de contenido en las ediciones en español de The Sporting News.
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Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News.
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