The Olympics will be without Messi. Argentina’s captain admits he can’t handle another tournament at his age

Lionel Messi has yet another Copa América tournament ahead of him. The 36-year-old footballer will be looking to lift the trophy with Argentina, but he has now sent a message to the fans that will not make them too happy. The Olympics will be without him.

After many years at Barcelona, Lionel Messi has decided to join PSG. He stayed in the French team for two years and since last summer he has been an Inter Miami player playing in the MLS.

At 36 years of age, the Argentine chic is still a mainstay of the national team, with whom he is preparing for the Copa América tournament. Argentina will face Canada, Chile and Peru in the group stage.

Together with Brazil, it is the biggest favourite for the tournament, after all, it won the 2022 World Cup. However, after the tournament ends, there is another tournament on the agenda that Argentina wants to win.

This is the Olympic Games, during which the Argentine team will challenge Morocco, Iraq and Ukraine in a group. However, in this tournament, they will have to do without Messi, who has ruled himself out.

Messi will not be at the Olympics

In an interview with ESPN , Messi admitted that at his age it is no longer possible to play so many games during the season. And since the Copa América tournament is more important, he chose it.

He also spoke to coach Javier Mascherano, who will lead the team at the Olympics. “I talked to him and he understands my situation,” he said.

“Playing in two tournaments in such close succession would be too much. I had to choose, you can’t be everywhere at this age,” he added.

Source: ESPN, Sport.cz