Messi will skip Rio de Janeiro Olympics, says coach Martino

Lionel Messi will avoid the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in six months since his mentor Gerardo Martino says he needs some rest. 

Martino spoke Monday on Argentina radio station La Red and said Messi will play in the Centennial Copa America competition in the United States, yet not the Olympics in Brazil. 

"Messi won't go to the Olympic Games," said Martino, who said it was "excessively" for the Barcelona star to play in both occasions furthermore World Cup qualifiers. 

The Centennial Copa America starts June 3, and the Olympics open two months after the fact on August 5. 

"We have the Copa America, the Olympic Games, and World Cup qualifiers in September, October and November," Martino said. 

He additionally specified Barcelona's overwhelming calendar in different competitions, adding to the wear-and-tear on the Argentine. 

Messi is 28 and could have been picked to the Olympic group as one of three more than 23 age players. He drove Argentina to the gold award in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics