Why Big Names Like Messi, Mbappe, and Yamal Are Missing the Paris Olympics

As the football world shifts from the excitement of the Euro and Copa America to the Paris Olympics, several high-profile players will not be competing in the tournament. The Paris Olympics will feature 16 teams, including Argentina, France, and Spain, vying for gold. However, many of the sport’s biggest stars will be missing due to ongoing club commitments and preparation for new seasons.

Top 5 Footballers Competing in the Paris Olympics

1. Alexandre Lacazette (France): The former Arsenal striker will lead France’s attack in a squad featuring Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta. Coached by Thierry Henry, Lacazette aims to make a significant impact.
2. Julian Alvarez (Argentina): Fresh off winning the Copa America, Alvarez will look to add an Olympic gold to his achievements. Joining him are notable players like Nicolas Otamendi and Thiago Almada.
3. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): Hakimi, a key player in Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup semifinal run, remains a central figure for his team in the Olympics.
4. Naby Keita (Guinea): The former Liverpool midfielder will captain Guinea, facing tough competition in a group with France, the USA, and New Zealand.
5. Fermin Lopez (Spain): A Euro 2024 winner, Lopez’s limited playing time during the tournament keeps him fresh for the Olympics. He will be accompanied by Alex Baena, another Euro champion.

Top 5 Footballers Missing the Paris Olympics

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina): Messi, who recently finished a demanding Copa America campaign, has opted out of the Olympics to focus on his club duties with Inter Miami, missing the chance to play in the Paris tournament.
2. Kylian Mbappe (France): Recently unveiled as a Real Madrid player, Mbappe will not participate in the Olympics. Real Madrid’s decision to keep their stars focused on the upcoming season excludes Mbappe from representing France at the Games.
3. Lamine Yamal (Spain): The 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy, who impressed at the Euro, will miss the Olympics to manage his workload ahead of the new La Liga season.
4. Mohamed Salah (Egypt): Despite interest from Egypt’s Olympic team, Salah has chosen to remain with Liverpool for pre-season preparations in the USA, skipping the Olympic tournament.
5. Takefusa Kubo (Japan): Kubo, formerly with Real Madrid and now with Real Sociedad, will not feature in the Olympics due to his club’s refusal to release him, as the Olympics fall outside FIFA’s international match windows.

With many of the top names missing, the Paris Olympics will still showcase a range of emerging and established talents eager to make their mark on the global stage.