Argentina Name 18-Man Olympic Team Amid Participation Doubts

Argentina announced their 18-man squad for the Rio Olympic Games late Wednesday, a team headlined by Manuel Lanzini, Luciano Vietto and Angel Correa. 

Argentina Name 18-Man Olympic Team Amid Participation Doubts

The announcement comes during an unstable time for the Argentina Football Association which, as of earlier this week, was unsure whether they would field a team at the Rio Games.

Also plaguing the Argentine team is the resignation of coach Gerardo Martino, which followed the announcement made by captain Lionel Messi that he would retire from international soccer after losing four finals with his national team (three Copa America finals and one World Cup Final). Messi, who plays for Barcelona as a forward, was also recently sentenced— along with his father– by a Spanish court to 21 months in prison for tax fraud, a decision the pair is reportedly set to appeal, especially since they could both avoid jail time given the functioning of Spanish law.

Argentina President Mauricio Macri recently stated he is positive Lionel Messi will return to play for the national team. Macri, who spoke with Messi on the phone last month, told CNBC at a financial conference in Idaho on Thursday, “I’m sure he’s going to come back.”

In Martino’s place, Julio Olarticoechea has assumed coaching duties. His 18-man team includes just one overage player, Independiente defenseman Victor Cuesta. 

Paulo Dybala of Juventus, Atletico Madrid’s Matias Kranevitter and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi were left out of the team. Dybala had previously not been granted permission from his club.

“Here are the 18 players who will represent us at the Olympic Games! #Rio2016,” the Argentine National Team tweeted on Wednesday evening.

Here is the full squad:

Goalkeepers: Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad), Axel Werner (Atletico de Rafaela)

Defenders: Victor Cuesta (Independiente), Lautaro Gianetti (Velez Sarsfield), Jose Luis Gomez (Lanus), Lisandro Magallan (Boca Juniors), Alexis Soto (Banfield), Leandro Vega (River Plate)

Midfielders: Santiago Ascacibar (Estudiantes), Giovani Lo Celso (Rosario Central), Joaquin Correa (Sampdoria), Mauricio Martinez (Union de Santa Fe), Lucas Romero (Cruzeiro)

Forwards: Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Espinoza (Huracan), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Giovani Simeone (River Plate), Luciano Vietto (Atletico Madrid)

PHOTO: HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Angel Correa #21 and Carlos Tevez #18 of Argentina celebrate after Correa scored a goal against Bolivia during their International friendly match at BBVA Compass Stadium on September 4, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)