Tata: Lionel Messi agreed he should miss the Olympic games

Tata Martino says Lionel Messi agreed that he should miss the Olympics this summer, because he is participating in the Copa America.

Unlike Neymar, who is doing the reverse, Messi will play in the United States in June, and then skip the August games in Brazil.

"I always felt that it would be an exaggeration to have Leo play at the Olympics again, especially if you bear in mind there's the Copa America first," explained the Argentina manager.

"It would have been a different matter had there not been a Copa before the Olympics. I discussed it with Leo and he agreed with me.

"It's a bit like what has happened to Neymar. It seems like Brazil have made the decision to only take him to the Olympics and not the Copa.

"We felt that it was a better option to strengthen the team for the Olympics in defence."