Is Lionel Messi playing at the Olympics? Latest on Argentina captain's availability for 2024 Paris Games

Argentina were drawn in Group B at the 2024 Olympic Games as they aim to reignite their glory days in the men's tournament from the early 2000s.

Impressive back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2008 underlined Argentina's determination to commit resources and players to the Olympics to challenge their old rivals Brazil.

Ahead of the 2024 tournament, they are among the favourites to go on and clinch a gold medal despite their low-key showings in recent appearances.

The major focus will be on the squad selected by former Liverpool and Barcelona star Javier Mascherano. Lionel Messi was eligible for a call-up as an overage player, but will he be involved?

MORE: Full standings and schedule for Olympic men's soccer tournament

Is Lionel Messi playing at the Olympics?

Messi was not included in Mascherano's plans for the tournament with Inter Miami requesting a return for their captain after Copa America duty this month.

Clubs are not required to release players for the Olympics, as per FIFA rules, and Messi's MLS club bosses are keen to manage his game load following injury problems in 2024. He was left nursing an ankle sprain after the final of the Copa America.

Messi is keen to play on for both club and country in the coming years and he is targeting a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Messi was part of the team that secured gold in Beijing in 2008. Mascherano was also in that victorious squad, as he was four years earlier in Athens.

How are Olympic squads selected?

Rules on how Olympic football squads are selected feature a crucial rule on 'overage players' with each qualified nation allowed to name three players aged over 23 in their squad.

That restriction does not apply to women's squads for Olympic competition.

Ahead of the 2024 Games, Mascherano utilised the rule to call up veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, plus Ajax goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

Argentina's Olympic squad

Below is the full squad for Argentina's 2024 Olympic campaign.

Ages correct as of the final squad announcement on July 3.

*Players in BOLD are Argentina's overage picks

Argentina's Olympic record

Argentina's wins in 2004 and 2008 remain their only men's football gold medals in the Olympics.

*DNE indicates Did Not Enter and DNQ indicates Did Not Qualify

Olympic football champions

Below is the complete list of Olympic medallists in the men's soccer tournament.