In an unexpected twist, the much-anticipated Paris Olympics soccer quarterfinal between France and Argentina will see the absence of two of the world's biggest soccer stars, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. The reason behind their exclusion from the pitch lies in the strict roster rules imposed for the Olympic men's soccer tournament.

With a limit of 18 players per team, the Olympic soccer tournament heavily restricts the selection of players under 23 years of age. Teams are allowed only three exceptions for older players, leading to speculations about Messi's potential inclusion in Argentina's squad. However, the decision to include the 37-year-old icon would unlikely have pleased Inter Miami, as it falls in the middle of the MLS season.

Furthermore, the timing of the Summer Games, right after the Copa America tournament, played a significant role in Messi's decision. Having helped Argentina defend their title against Colombia in the final, Messi sustained an ankle injury. Even without the injury, the World Cup champion openly admitted the need for rest and expressed his plans to skip the Olympics, stating, "I have to choose carefully, and it would be too much to play two straight tournaments," in an interview with ESPN.

While the absence of Messi and Mbappe may disappoint many fans, this opens up an opportunity for young talents to shine on the global stage. The under-23 rule allows promising players to showcase their skills and represent their respective countries. In fact, Messi himself had the privilege of playing in the 2008 Olympic squad at the age of 21, where Argentina triumphed over Nigeria with a 1-0 victory in the gold medal match.

Unlike major international soccer tournaments such as the World Cup, European Championship, and Copa America, the Olympic men's soccer event is not featured on FIFA's International Match Calendar. This means that clubs are not obliged to release their players for competition at the Games. Despite previous statements expressing his ambition to participate, the final decision regarding Mbappe's inclusion in France's team was not in his hands due to his recent move to Real Madrid. Even French President Emmanuel Macron's plea for Madrid to "free up Kylian for the Olympic Games" had no effect.

With anticipation and disappointment intertwined, fans in Paris will witness an intriguing clash between France and Argentina, albeit without the presence of two soccer superstars. As the Paris Olympics continue to unfold, fans remain hopeful that emerging talents will fill the void and make their mark on this prestigious global stage.