Lionel Messi will not participate in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Argentine national team coach Gerardo Martino says that the Barcelona star needs rest.
Speaking on Argentine radio "La Red," G. Martino said that L. Messi will not go to the Olympics, but will represent the national team in the Copa America tournament, which starts on June 3rd. The Rio de Janeiro games will begin on August 5th.
According to G. Martino, it would be "too much" for the forward to play in both tournaments, as the World Cup qualifiers are still ahead.
L. Messi is 28 years old and he could be included in the squad as one of the three players over 23 years old - that is the age limit for the Olympic soccer tournament.
The forward played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won gold with the Argentine national team.
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