Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says he wants to represent his country at the Paris Olympics but claims his club Aston Villa are preventing him from doing so.
The 31-year-old has already been named in Lionel Scaloni's squad for this summer's Copa America, where they will be looking to defend their title.
Martinez, who represented his country in the 2022 World Cup and won the tournament, said he was “dreaming” of winning gold at that tournament but was not certain to take part in Paris.
“It is my desire to play in the Olympics but it is not just about me,” he told TyC Sport. “The club has blocked me many times. I agreed to play the Copa America and then make a decision. At a club that has not released any of its international players you can't be 100% sure.”
“I always put Argentina first and if I have to play against my club I will. The most important thing is the Copa America and then the Olympics. My dream is to win a gold medal.”
Athletic Villa has been contacted for comment.
Martinez will win the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and will aim to defend their Copa America title this summer. (Daniel Ramalho/AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina coach Javier Mascherano has named a 23-man squad for the Olympic warm-up match against Paraguay, but no over-age players have been added to the list yet. The Men's Olympic Games is an under-23 tournament, with the exception of the three over-age players. As the Men's Olympic Games is outside of FIFA's official international competition period, clubs are under no obligation to release players for selection.
However, Manchester City's Julian Alvarez could play in the Olympics if selected – the 24-year-old, who was also in Scaloni's Copa America squad, would count as an over-age player.
It is unclear whether Villa will allow Martinez to take part, and they have also blocked France moves for Lucas Digne and Moussa Diaby and understand both players need to be ready for pre-season.
The Paris Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11. Football matches will be held in cities across France, with the final taking place on August 9.
Martinez has won 37 caps for Argentina, which will play friendlies against Ecuador on June 9 and Guatemala on June 14 before kicking off the Copa America campaign against Canada on June 20.
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