Before winning the Copa America with the Argentina team, Lionel Messi was asked about playing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he lived before moving to Inter Miami last year, while Mbappe also wanted to play at home.

The men’s football tournament at the Olympics begins on July 24, with the finals taking place on August 9. The competition will see the best 16 nations compete for gold, with teams comprising a mix of promising youngsters and established superstars.

Each Paris 2024 men’s football team will include at least 15 players under the age of 23 and a maximum of three players of any age. Lionel Messi and former teammate Kylian Mbappe are two superstars that fans around the world are eager to see in action at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but both will be absent.

After playing in the three-week continental tournament this summer, the 37-year-old Messi informed Argentina Olympic coach Javier Mascherano that playing in France was too much for him. Speaking to ESPN Argentina ahead of the Copa America final, Messi said: “I spoke to coach Mascherano and the truth is we both understand the situation.

Messi has told former teammate Mascherano, now coach of the Argentia Olympic team, that he is not fit enough to play at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: GETTY.

It was difficult because we were in the Copa America. I had two or three months without Inter Miami, and on top of that, I was not at the age where I could play in every tournament. I had to choose carefully, and it would have been too much to play two tournaments in a row. I was very lucky to play in the Olympics and win. It was a great experience, a memory I will never forget.”

Lionel Messi will not be playing for Argentina at this summer’s Olympics in France. Instead, he will prepare for the second half of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season with Inter Miami after winning the 2024 Copa America earlier this month.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has led the national team to victory in numerous other tournaments, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2021 Copa America and most famously, the 2022 World Cup.

Two of the world’s biggest football stars are absent from the Olympics. Photo: GETTY.

Meanwhile, former Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe will also miss the 2024 Paris Olympics as he prepares for his first season with new club Real Madrid .

He had an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign, with France eliminated in the semi-finals after a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Spain. And just ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, striker Mbappe said: “My club has a very clear stance on the Olympics , which means I think I will not participate.”

Mbappe has previously expressed his desire to represent his country, which will be coached by French legend Thierry Henry, but admitted that he would not be able to do so due to his busy schedule. The Paris 2024 Olympic men’s football tournament ends on August 9, and the new La Liga season starts a week later, while Real Madrid are also in action in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14.

Mbappe has just joined his new club and trained with his teammates before the 2024-2025 La Liga season. Photo: GETTY.

Mbappe said: “Joining a new team after a stressful season (Euro 2024) is not the best way for me to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics. I wish the French Olympic team all the best . Of course I will watch all the French matches as a spectator, not as an actor, and I hope they bring home the gold medal.”

Football stars at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Although both Messi and Mbappe are absent from the Olympics, there will still be a number of top sports stars representing their countries in Paris. Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez will be part of the Argentina squad, two months after the team won their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Hakimi and Alvarez face each other in the opening match of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Crystal Palace’s Jean-Phillipe Mateta has been called up to represent France in Paris, along with Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise. The hosts are also captained by former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Meanwhile, Julio Enciso will represent Paraguay at the Olympics, although he only made 12 appearances for Brighton last season after struggling with a long-term knee injury. French champions Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi is a star for Morocco.