Lionel Messi will have time to focus on winning the Copa América Centenario with Argentina, as coach Gerardo Martino dismissed the idea of having Messi around to play in the 2016 Olympic Games hosted by Brazil.
According to the former Barcelona tactician, Messi will have enough playing time with the Argentinean National Team that will play the continental tournament, and making him play in the Olympic Games could be dangerous for his health.
"Messi won't play in the Olympic Games, we have too many games scheduled with Copa América Centenario and three more World Cup Qualifiers. I don't want him to be all worn out," Martino stated in an interview with Radio La Red.
Martino led La Albiceleste to the 2015 Copa América final, where they lost against Chile.
Even though pressure is piling up on Martino to win a title with the Argentineans, the coach refused he will jeopardize the health of his players in order to give fans something to celebrate.
"Barcelona's form and calendar tells us that they still have a long way to go and many games to play. I really want to win, but there's a limit to it. I don't want to throw my players in to let them die on the pitch," the coach added.
The Argentinean National Team hasn't been able to win a single title since 1993, when La Albiceleste defeated Mexico to win the Copa América trophy. Since then, the South Americans have reached three Copa América finals and the 2014 World Cup final, but they haven't been able to defeat their opponents.
