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Fresh off decimating a 28-year-old trophy drought with the recent Copa America 2021 win, Argentina have sent a 22-man squad to Tokyo to try and replicate their historic 2008 Olympics campaign. Led by Juan Román Riquelme, the talented bunch of upcoming superstars, including Lionel Messi, romped to a first-place finish in 2008. Argentina recorded six straight wins, scoring 11 goals on their way.
Following that win, Argentina have fared quite poorly at the renowned tournament. With Messi aged 25 and at the peak of his powers by the time the London Olympics rolled around, he was no longer a viable option for the chosen squad. Without their talisman, Argentina failed to qualify for the coveted games in 2012 and could only manage a deplorable 11th place finish in the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Argentina's current roster for the 2021 Olympics
Nevertheless, the Albiceleste have a relatively potent squad at this year's Olympics, packing some of the best U-23 talents in world football. The most notable youngster representing Argentina in Tokyo is none other than Thiago Almada, the 20-year-old prodigy.
He is currently plying his trade for the Primera División outfit, Vélez Sarsfield. Almada is accompanied by Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Atlanta United's star man Ezequiel Barco, among others. At 28 years of age, Jeremias Ledesma is the only over-age player drafted to compete in the competition.
Keeping that in mind, let's take a look at the talented bunch of 2008, who secured Argentina's 2nd ever gold in a football event at the Olympics by defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the final:
Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero (Without Club)
Starting in goal on that fortunate day, Sergio Romero shared his post between the sticks with Óscar Ustari, throughout the 2008 Olympics. However, the Racing Club graduate had a much superior impact, not conceding a single goal in his 315 minutes on the pitch.
Nevertheless, the 34-year-old shot-stopper's club career has seen a steep decline since his glorious stint with the national team. The first-choice goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup for Argentina, Romero was recently released by Manchester United. He spent six seasons at Old Trafford, firmly stuck to the bench.
Romero has drawn the interest of a number of European clubs, including Everton and Celta Vigo. However, the former Argentina international remains unemployed at the time of writing.
Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta (Retired)
Pablo Zabaleta was one of the first signings made by Manchester City after the cash-laden takeover by the Abu Dhabi Group. Unsurprisingly, the Argentine was in high demand at the time of his transfer, having put in some impressive performances at the Beijing Olympics for Argentina.
The 58-capped Argentine proved to be a shrewd signing for the Cityzens, spending the next nine seasons at the Etihad as City's preferred right-back. In the latter stages of his career, Zabaleta was shipped off to West Ham United, where the reliable defender made the final appearances of his footballing days.
At the ripe old age of 35, he finally called it quits, retiring from the sport in 2020.
Center-back: Nicolás Pareja (Retired)
Somewhat of an unknown entity, Nicolás Pareja spent most of his professional career with the likes of Anderlecht and Spartak Moscow. His most notable spell in Europe came during a four-year stay with Sevilla, playing 121 games for the Spanish giants.
The former Argentina international was aged 23 when he received his first national call-up to defend his nation's colors at the Beijing Olympics. Pareja appeared in all but one game at the tournament, putting on a solid defensive display on his way to gold.
Pareja signed with Atlas in 2018 but was released just 11 months later, having only played four games for the Mexican outfit. The two-time Europa League winner announced his retirement, shortly after.
Center-back: Ezequiel Garay (Retired)
Known for his time at Valencia, Ezequiel Garay was a mainstay in Sergio Batista's Argentina squad at the Beijing Olympics. He registered just under 500 minutes into the competition. The no-nonsense defender played every single minute of the five games he started and pitched in with an assist against Brazil in the Olympics semi-finals.
Having had a brief stint at Real Madrid, Garay was instrumental in helping compatriot Lionel Messi win a rare accolade with Argentina. The Olympics gold-winner was last seen defending a crest back at Mestalla with Valencia, only leaving the club in 2020 due to a long-term injury. With no professional appearances in the past year, Garay announced his retirement from football in July 2021, aged 34.
Left-back: Luciano Fabián Monzón (Without Club)
A quintessential journeyman, Luciano Monzon has represented as many as eight clubs in his 13-year long professional career. The Argentinian was last contracted to Atlético Tucumán, a mid-table club in the Primera Division of his native country.
Following a quite apparent display of his skills at the 2008 Olympics in Argentina's favor, Monzon was snapped up by Real Betis. He was taken on a season-long loan with a €9m purchase clause, which the Andalusian side chose not to activate. After a string of transfers, ranging from France to Chile, the 34-year-old left-back is currently unemployed.
Defensive Midfielder: Fernando Gago (Retired)
Fernando Gago was your typical holding midfielder, dictating the build-up play all the while effectively breaking down the opposition's advancements. Gago was drafted into the Argentina team as a 21-year-old and proved to be an astute inclusion for Batista's side. He played every game at that year's Olympics and establishing himself as a reliable comrade of Lionel Messi.
Gago spent his prime years with Real Madrid, winning four titles with Los Blancos. This was followed by an abrupt homecoming to Argentina with Vélez Sársfield, owing to his numerous injury issues. After retiring in 2020, the 35-year-old recently stepped into the management alley, signing a contract with Aldosivi.
Defensive Midfielder: Javier Mascherano (Retired)
The ultimate utility man, Javier Mascherano was Lionel Messi's trusted aide at both club as well as international level. Along with the aforementioned Gago, Mascherano was part of a formidable double-pivot midfield. The duo solidified Argentina's base to an immeasurable extent at the 2008 Olympics.
The 147-capped defensive stalwart had the highest number of appearances for Argentina until recently, before Messi took the crown for himself. Mascherano enjoyed an illustrious eight-year stay at Barcelona, only leaving the side in 2018. He hung up his boots two years later.
Right-wing: Lionel Messi (Without Club)
Acting as Argentina's talisman ever since earning the first cap of his career, Lionel Messi was just 21 at the time of the Beijing Olympics. Nevertheless, the current Argentina captain was arguably the most influential player in the tournament. With a contract extension with Barcelona imminent, Messi is technically a free agent as of now, for the first time in his distinguished career.
The 34-year-old 'GOAT' has progressed onto enjoy an inconceivable 17 years at the top, winning almost every team and individual award under the sun. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently on course to add a seventh title to his name after a sensational 2020-21 season. The campaign saw Messi win the man-of-the-match award in 51% of his club games.
Central-midfield: Juan Román Riquelme (Retired)
Drafted as one of the three over-age players, Juan Román Riquelme was entrusted with the responsibility to lead Argentina's title defense at the 2008 Olympics. 30 at the time of the tournament, Riquelme was enjoying a successful second stint with boyhood club Boca Juniors in Argentina's Primera Division.
Riquelme was considered to be one of the best playmakers in the footballing world during his prime. He was poised to succeed at Barcelona when his transfer to the Catalan giants was sanctioned in 2002.
However, due to some personal reasons and differences with the manager, Louis Van Gaal, his dream move was cut short after a single year. The enigmatic midfielder retired in 2015 with 10 major trophies to his name.
Left-wing: Ángel Di María (Paris Saint-Germain)
Ángel Di María created history by netting the only goal of the Copa America 2021 final. The goal handed his captain, Lionel Messi, his first major title with Argentina. In a fairy tale twist, di María was also the difference between the Albiceleste and gold at the Beijing Olympics, chipping the Nigerian shot-stopper to seal the deal. Poetically, the assist was provided by none other than Lionel Messi himself.
Following the Olympics, the talented winger secured a move to Real Madrid in 2010. His time with Los Blancos was glittered with silverware as he won six trophies in four years, including the Champions League. A torrid solitary season with Manchester United followed, after which di Maria joined PSG.
Striker: Sergio Agüero (FC Barcelona)
One of Lionel Messi's best on-field as well as off-field mates, Sergio Agüero recently joined Barcelona, having secured legendary status at Manchester City. The prolific striker was an integral part of the fabled 2008 Argentina team at the Olympics, scoring twice and assisting once, en route to the gold medal.
Agüero's illustrious career has seen him become the fourth-best goalscorer in Premier League history, scoring a monstrous 184 goals in 275 appearances. The 33-year-old forward arrives in Catalonia with hopes of winning the one title that has eluded him: the Champions League. He will hope to secure the UCL alongside his best friend Messi.
