Four World Cup winners in Argentina's Olympic football squad
Lionel Messi was part of the 2008 squad but is not playing this time around.
BERLIN - Nicolás Otamendi and Julian Álvarez are among four World Cup winners from 2022 to be selected into Argentina's squad for the tournament at the Paris Olympics which starts later in the month.
Benfica defender Otamendi and Manchester City forward Álvarez are joined by goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli and forward Thiago Almada who were also part of the successful squad two years ago in Qatar, according to German news agency (dpa).
The 18-player squad for the Olympics was nominated on Tuesday by coach Javier Mascherano. The 2004 and 2008 gold medallists Argentina play Morocco, Iraq and Ukraine in the group stage.
Lionel Messi was part of the 2008 squad but is not playing this time around. The 37-year-old cited a heavy workload.
The Olympic tournament is officially an under-23 event but each team can have three older players in the squad. In Argentina's case they are Otamendi, Àlvarez and Rulli who are currently also representing the nation at the Copa America. - BERNAMA-dpa
