Why Are Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal And Kylian Mbappe Not Participating In The Paris Olympics 2024?

The footballing action continues after the Euro 2024 and Copa America 2024 as 16 teams including Argentina, France and Spain will now vie for a podium finish in the Paris Olympics 2024. Unfortunately from the fans' perspective, most of the big names who have played in the Euro and Copa America will not be taking part in the Paris Olympics 2024 due to the packed football season in countries like England, Spain and France among others. However, there are still enough big names in the Olympics to make Football a thrilling tournament. The 16 teams have been divided into 4 groups with hosts France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand in Group A, Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine in Group B, Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic in Group C and Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel in Group D.

Why are Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe not participating in the Paris Olympics 2024?

Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe were the most anticipated stars at the Paris Olympics 2024, but the men's football tournament will have to kickstart without their presence. Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is currently sporting a protective cast on his right ankle after picking up an unfortunate ankle injury in the Copa America 2024 final. Messi who played a crucial role in Argentina national football team's Olympic gold triumph in Beijing 2008 opted out of consideration under coach Javier Mascherano ahead of the Copa America 2024.

"At my age, I don't want to play everything and I need to make the right choices," Lionel Messi said in a recent interview.

France captain Kylian Mbappe expressed his desire to compete on home soil after leading his country to the Euro 2024 semi-finals in Germany. However, Real Madrid FC, his new club, declined to release him due to the Olympic Football tournament's schedule outside of FIFA's international window. Lamine Yamal was one of the stars of Euro 2024 as Spain became champions of Europe for the fourth time.

Unfortunately, Lamine Yamal will also not be playing at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games after being left out of the Spain squad. While the FC Barcelona teenager would have been eligible as a player under the age of 23, his participation at Euro 2024 made it highly unlikely that the Spanish club would then sanction his release for the Paris Olympics, due to their preseason plans. Lamine Yamal's Barcelona teammates Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Fermin Lopez are all representing Spain in Paris.

1. How are Olympic Football squads selected?

There are certain rules on how Olympic football squads are selected. Each qualified nation is allowed to name three players aged over 23 in their squad. However, that restriction does not apply to women's football squads for the Olympics. Talking about the latest Football news, head coaches have been facing club vs country battles as football at the Olympics does not feature on the FIFA international match calendar and the top football clubs are not interested in releasing players even if they wish to play Olympics.

2. Olympic Football schedule and venue at the Paris Olympics 2024

Talking about the Paris Olympics 2024, the football events run from July 24 to August 10. Seven stadiums will be used throughout the tournament. Nice and St. Etienne will be among the group stage venues, with Bordeaux hosting games up to and including the quarter-finals. The semi-finals will be in Lyon and Marseille, with a bronze medal match in Nantes, and the final will be held at Paris' legendary Parc des Princes, which can accommodate 48,000 fans.