Messi, after leading the Argentinian team to gold in the 2008 Olympics, will not be able to represent Argentina in the 2016 Olympics, which is set to take place this summer in Rio de Janeiro. The Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino announced this news in the beginning of February, stating that Messi will participate in Centennial Copa America in the US this June, but does not want Messi to burnout during the Olympics. This comes as a surprise as the team is allowed to bring three players above the age of 23, however Messi will not be among them. One of the cited reasons was that there is intense competition as to who can participate in the Argentina national team. It is interesting to consider why this reasoning was brought up regarding Messi as he led the team to gold in 2008. Moving forward, hopefully this season plays out as a great one for Messi so that his lack of participation in the olympic games is valid.
If you were the head coach of the Argentinian national team, what would your decision be regarding Messi playing in the Olympics?
Article: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12026/10152432/lionel-messi-wont-represent-argentina-at-rio-olympics
I disagree. I do not think it is a surprise at all. Messi single-handlely (no, Di Maria did not do that much) to the World Cup Final and South American Final (yeah they lost both, but that is two finals in two years). The issue with the olympics has always been the issue of is it a prestiges youth tournament or something that should be won at all costs. Most national teams have come to the realization that it is not worth sending their best players to the olympics. The reason why it has been a big surprise in the USA news outlets is because we always send our best 3 players over 23 because otherwise our chances of doing well would be greatly diminished.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who does not follow soccer, this is very surprising to me and upsetting. Although I do not enjoy soccer, I watch soccer during the Olympics and World Cup because I want to see the best players in the world compete. This is a big turnoff to non-fans and hurts the soccer community because they do not get to see the best player in the world play.
ReplyDeleteBut for the soccer community, the Olympics is a youth game and one of the least important, maybe even the lowest of all international tournaments. I think it more hurts the chance of improving soccer fandom in the states, but as a soccer community, other then Argentina fans (who just like winning trophies, big or small) it will not make a difference.
DeleteWhile this may not be the best comparison, NBA players are criticized beyond belief in the United States even at the thought of them not participating in the Olympic Basketball tournament. Even in a sport where the United States are all but guaranteed a medal, if not a gold, representing the nation I guess would be considered more of a duty than an opportunity to take home some more hardware. That can certainly contribute to why headlines in the United States would take the fact that Messi is not participating in the Olympics and make it seem like a travesty. It seems like a bigger deal than it probably is, but still disappointed as a fan of watching the best competition possible on one of the world's biggest stages.
ReplyDeleteAs a soccer fan, it hurts to see that Messi will not be playing in the Olympics. Who wouldn’t want to see the greatest player in the world compete at such a high level one last time? Although I disagree with the decision, I do understand it. Of course he is not obligated to play, and FC Barcelona is probably happy he will not play (potential injury and more milage on the body), but I think the soccer community would benefit from his presence. Messi is the type of player that non-soccer fans turn on the TV to watch. Unfortunately, those non-fans will have a reason not to watch.
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