Argentina's star player, Lionel Messi, will not play for his country at the 2024 Olympics. Messi said it would be ‘too much’ for him to play for his country in the games, especially since he had just played in the Copa America and was also trying to balance his club job with Inter Miami. 

Messi already won a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Aside from their 2022 FIFA World Cup 2024 title, Argentina is also the reigning 2021 Copa America champion, making the team one of the favorites to bet on by online crypto sports betting fans. 

Officially, in an under-23 event, each Olympic football team can choose up to three overage players. Javier Mascherano, the coach of Argentina's under-23 team, said he had talked to Messi about possibly including him.

However, Messi plays for Inter Miami and thinks that if he played in both, he would miss too many games for the MLS team. Messi shifted to Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and had to get used to the MLS season.

Since the league runs in the summer, Messi would have to miss a few games for his club, which he said worries him. ‘I talked to Mascherano, and we both understood the situation. It's hard because we're in Copa America. It would be two or three straight months of not being with the club and more than anything; I'm not at an age to be in everything,’ Messi said.

With Messi’s various achievements with Argentina, he says that the days when he played in every game are over. He said he needed to make an intelligent choice because playing in two events would be too much for him. 

Messi also expressed how lucky he feels to have played in and won the 2008 Olympics with Masche. Although Messi will not play in the Paris Olympics, fans still want to wager on Argentina on Olympics betting sites since they’ve always been a strong team.  

Palestine Olympics chief to shed light on war in Gaza

Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, expressed his hope that the Paris Olympics would highlight the ongoing war in Gaza. ‘Paris is a historic place, and it is a great moment to go there and to tell the world that it’s time to say stop; enough is enough. Therefore, we will also try to have athletes from Gaza or who are originally from Gaza, ' Rajoub said.

He said that as long as the Israelis continued their crimes in Gaza, the Israelis lost their legal right and moral right to attend. Rajoub especially mentioned the damage to sports infrastructure and the incarceration of players and sports staff in stadiums by Israeli troops.

There was also the killing of 300 athletes and sports workers in the coastal Palestinian territories. Rajoub also runs the Palestinian Football Association, which demanded the immediate suspension of Israel from FIFA at the global football governing body's convention in May 2024.

He criticized the limitations on movement and the obstacles faced by Palestinian athletes when traveling for global sporting competitions or training overseas. ‘Despite all the difficulties, challenges, and general atmosphere, someone was qualified for,’ he stated, referring to Palestinian taekwondo athlete Omar Ismail.

For many, the Paris Olympics is not only an exciting event that you can bet on Olympic games but also a ray of hope that will shine light on various global issues. This includes breaking stereotypes in sports and raising awareness of ongoing wars.

___

Sports Team History is your ultimate destination to explore the rich heritage and iconic logos of professional sports teams across MLB, MLS, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Premier League, WNBA, UFL, XFL, ABA, AAF, and USFL. Immerse yourself in the captivating tales and memorable moments that have shaped each team's legacy.

But that's not all! At Sports Team History, we believe in celebrating the exceptional talents that have graced the sports world. That's why we're thrilled to announce our upcoming "Greatest Player Poll" where fans like you can cast your votes and have your say in determining the greatest players of all time in various sports.

Our partner site, Sports Logo History, offers a vibrant community of logo enthusiasts who appreciate the evolution of team visual identities. Dive into detailed analysis and discussions surrounding logos representing the teams we love. Stay updated with Sports News History, providing 24/7 sports news coverage to keep you informed and engaged with the latest developments. Lastly, explore the premier sports team marketplace at Sports Store History, where you'll find a wide selection of jerseys, caps, and collectibles to showcase your team spirit. Embark on a journey through time, celebrate team logos, stay informed with the latest news, and discover unique sports memorabilia to enhance your collection. Let Sports Team History fuel your passion for sports.