Argentina name squad for Paris Olympics

Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Otamendi have been included in Argentina’s squad for the Paris Olympics despite both players featuring in the ongoing Copa America in the United States.

Javier Mascherano is the head coach of the 18-man squad and the two-times gold medal winner picked 36-year-old Otamendi and 32-year-old goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli among his overage players.

Both Manchester City's Alvarez and Benfica's Otamendi have taken the field for more than 50 games for club and country this season.

Along with Rulli, who is also in the Copa America squad, the trio are set to link up with Mascherano's contingent after the event, where Argentina are already in the last eight.

World Cup winner and Argentina captain Lionel Messi won’t feature at the Olympics since the 37-year-old wants to manage his workload.

The men's football tournament at the Olympics will start on on July 24, just 10 days after the Copa America final. Argentina are slotted with Morocco, Iraq and Ukraine in the group stage.

Argentina squad for Olympics

Goalkeepers: Leandro Brey, Geronimo Rulli

Defenders: Marco Di Cesare, Julio Soler, Joaquin Garcia, Gonzalo Lujan, Nicolas Otamendi, Bruno Amione

Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernandez, Santiago Hezze, Cristian Medina, Kevin Zenon

Forwards: Giuliano Simeone, Luciano Gondou, Thiago Almada, Claudio Echeverri, Julian Alvarez, Lucas Beltran