Paris 2024 Olympic Games: after the provocations and racist chants, what a welcome for the Argentinian selection in France ?

À 36 ans, Nicolas Otamendi (à gauche) est le capitaine de la sélection olympique argentine. MAXPPP – LESLIE PLAZA JOHNSON

The favorite of the Olympic football tournament, the Argentine team enters the competition against Morocco, this Wednesday, July 24 (3 p.m.). And is preparing to set foot on a pitch in France, a country with which relations have become considerably strained since the 2022 World Cup.

France escaped “Dibu” Martinez. But not to Argentina, favorite with Spain in the Olympic football tournament and rival well beyond the limits of the field for several weeks. What will be the reception reserved for the Albiceleste for their entry into contention against Achraf Hakimi's Morocco, this Wednesday (3 p.m.) at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne? ? In the Cauldron, it's a safe bet that whistles will be heard, and too bad for the values ​​of Olympicism.

Since the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar won by Lionel Messi and his partners against Kylian Mbappé's Blues, tension has increased between the two nations. The outrageous provocations of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the title caused an initial stir. The Argentine coronation in the Copa America final on July 15 heightened this tension. Blame it on a racist chant on the Seleccion bus, captured on video by Enzo Fernandez.

Reunions possible from the quarters

The dismissal of an Argentinian minister, inappropriate remarks by the vice-president denouncing a “colonialist” France and the “hypocritical” French before the far-right president Javier Milei made amends: the love-hate relationship has crossed the boundaries of sport between two countries with radically different ideas.

In Argentina, people hide behind the idea of ​​cultural banter and part of the population follows this highly questionable line. On Sunday, the return of Fernandez, the author of the video, to his old River Plate stadium was an opportunity for the public to sing along to the controversial words and add fuel to the fire.

It could become downright hot as early as the quarter-finals, and a possible France-Argentina match on August 2. Unless we have to wait until the final.

Rulli, Otamendi, Alvarez… The Albiceleste not here to laugh

Despite the absence of the arsonist “Dibu” Martinez absent, his replacement, the former Montpellier Geronimo Rulli, and his partners should in any case be in the sights of the speakers of France. Javier Mascherano had to prepare his men, who had been on training in Brittany for several days.

The former legend of the Albiceleste and Barça, double Olympic champion in 2004 and 2008, is not a newcomer. While he could not count on Messi, “El jefecito” (”the little leader”) has built a team that is not here to joke around, in the image of its sinister captain Nicolas Otamendi, a 36-year-old defender with proven grit. It can also count on Julian Alvarez, Manchester City striker. Not forgetting Thiago Almada, MLS attraction expected in Lyon in January. By then, the ears of the midfield and its partners will be ringing loudly.

Messi, Mbappé… Why the stars are shunning the Games ?

The men's Olympic football tournament kicks off the Olympics this Wednesday, without the world stars it was counting on, but that no nation, France first and foremost, has managed to attract. Mbappé, Griezmann, Messi, Di Maria… The list of stars who have expressed their wish to participate in the Paris Games is long, but ultimately none will tread the French pitches. The reason is that for the men, the Olympic tournament is not included in the official FIFA calendar and the clubs are therefore not obliged to release their players. So much so that the competition, which could have been one of the flagship events of Paris 2024, will ultimately take place in relative anonymity. The players still have the privilege of inaugurating, two days before the opening ceremony on July 26, the start of the sporting events.