Soccer Stars Who Missed the Tokyo 2021 Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics is an international experience for the athletes to meet, compete, and showcase their polished. Football is also an integral part of this event, and players across the world are eager to participate.
However, not all who want to join in the action get the opportunity to do it. Thus, let’s take a look at the football players that have, sadly, missed their chance to be a part of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is one of those players who has the power to attract the entire nation to the stadium. However, he won’t play for Argentina in the Tokyo Olympics. Although there are many reasons behind him not playing, the major one is that he has recently participated in Copa America 2021 and has helped his team clinch the title.
It was also his first international tournament with the team. So, now he is on vacation charging up for the 2021/22 campaign. So far, Atomic Flea has played with the senior football team since winning Gold for Argentina in Beijing 2008.
2. Kylian Mbappé
It came as a shock to the France men’s soccer team when the roster for the Tokyo Olympics came out in June. The reason was one missing name, Kylian Mbappé.
France’s forward player is not playing in the Tokyo Olympics, and the reason behind this is pretty clear. Most of the stars cannot play in two tournaments in one summer for the national teams.
Kylian Mbappé is the core member of the club team, Paris Saint-Germain. As the forward player of France is playing in the ongoing European Championship, he cannot play for the home team in the Tokyo Olympics.
Another reason for him not participating in the Olympics is because he has to rest for the league seasons ahead.
3. Neymar Jr
Neymar Jr is the prime member of the Paris Saint-Germain club team and also the most expensive player in the world. Though the striker was pretty enthusiastic about being a part of Brazil’s soccer men team for the Tokyo Olympics, his name didn’t make a list.
The reason for this is pretty much similar to Messi. As he has recently participated in Copa America, he would be super exhausted after playing so many games back-to-back. Moreover, as the French club would like to have him for pre-season, he would have no time to rest before the club’s contests began if he went on to play in the Olympics.
So, in short, Brazil has to suffice with its younger players at the tournament and Neymar with Copa America.
4. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has to be a part of Egypt’s men’s soccer team. Why? Well, the reason is that the team is placed in the group of death with Spain, Argentina, and Australia. As the forward player of Egypt played brilliantly in the 2012 London Olympics Game, he is the ray of hope for Egypt when there is more than one powerful contender in your group. Unfortunately, he is not a part of the Olympic squad.
Now, Liverpool didn’t let him play for the Olympics because it will be difficult for them when the Africa Cup of Nations begins in January 2022. If he plays for the Olympics team now, Liverpool will not have him for at least 1 month.
5. Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius, the forward player of Real Madrid and one of Brazil’s brightest prospects for future World Cups, will not be joining his countrymen in this summer’s Olympics. The reason behind this decision is that Carlo Ancelotti refused to let Vinicius join up with the Olympic team so that he could work on him from day 1 at pre-season training.
One would assume it was a tough call for Brazilian manager Andre Jardine when deciding whether or not to take part in Tokyo without such an important player as Vinícius Jr.? What do you think?
Final Words
The battle of the football titans is on. So, if you want to watch your favorite player in action, you can do so by going to the respective streaming platforms or TV channels. However, if any of the streaming platforms are not available in your country, you can try using a sports streaming VPN. It can easily bypass geo-blocks while providing you access to your favorite streaming channels in your country.