Argentina’s under-23 coach, Javier Mascherano, has extended an open invitation to Lionel Messi to join the Olympic squad this summer. The invitation comes after Argentina secured a spot at the Olympic Games in Paris by defeating Brazil 1-0.
Mascherano emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with Messi and his commitments. Messi, who recently led Argentina to their third World Cup title in 2022, expressed his excitement for the Olympic qualification by posting on Instagram with words of encouragement for the team.
Thiago Almada, a midfielder for Argentina U23, shared his enthusiasm at the prospect of having Messi on the Olympic squad. Almada described it as a dream to play alongside the iconic footballer and hoped that Messi would have the desire to participate.
Past Success
Having previously won gold at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, Messi’s return to the Games would be highly anticipated. The International Olympic Committee president also voiced his support for Messi’s potential involvement in the event.
Scheduling Conflicts
Despite the excitement surrounding Messi’s possible participation in the Olympics, he has already expressed his intention to compete in the 2024 Copa America, which overlaps with the Games. With club commitments and scheduling conflicts, Messi might have to make a tough decision between the two prestigious tournaments.
Messi’s involvement with club side Inter Miami adds another layer of complexity to his decision-making process. As the MLS regular season coincides with the Copa America, Messi would potentially miss several games with his club if he chooses to participate in the international tournament.
While the idea of Lionel Messi playing in the Olympics with Argentina is enticing for fans and players alike, the decision rests firmly on his shoulders. Balancing national team duties, personal aspirations, and club commitments presents a challenging dilemma for the football superstar. Ultimately, whatever choice Messi makes will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the tournaments he decides to participate in.
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