Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been named in Argentina's squad for the Olympic Games in August.
The 24-year-old is one of the three overage players allowed in the Under-23 squad for the Games in Beijing.
Mascherano will now miss the start of the Reds' season, including both legs of their Champions League third-round qualifier on 12 and 27 August.
He is joined in the 18-man squad by Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.
Mascherano's absence will be a blow for Reds boss Rafael Benitez as the Argentine has developed into a crucial member of his side in the holding midfield role.
Liverpool's young left-back Emiliano Insua is on Argentina's standby list and could also be called up.
Argentina, who also have Juan Roman Riquelme in their squad, will travel to Tokyo to play a friendly against Japan on 29 July before going on to Beijing.
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Not good news, I wouldn't mind Insua going, experience would be good for him, but we needed Masch to stay really.
Does anyone know if Lucas is going too? If he is that will either mean throwing one of our youngsters in (probably Plessis) or switching from the formation that served us so well in the run in this season gone. It's crucial we get a good start & could really have done without this.
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