Amid Lionel Messi’s Desire for Representing Argentina, Javier Mascherano Extends Olympic Invitation to Inter Miami Captain

Lionel Messi is already set to miss at least 7 Inter Miami games to feature in friendlies and the Copa America for Argentina. The NT also has the 2024 Paris Olympics on its calendar. Considering that Messi will feature in the Copa America and immediately play for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup, it is dubious if he would partake in the Olympics. However, Argentina’s Olympic coach and Leo Messi’s ex-teammate Javier Mascherano has offered him a shot at his 2nd Olympic gold.

Javier Mascherano sat down with TyC Sports to discuss Lionel Messi’s prospects in the upcoming Olympics. “I spoke with Leo. We invited him to accompany us at the Olympic games and we both agreed to speak again,” he said, as compiled by Mundo Albiceleste. National teams participate in the Olympics with a U23 roster that features 3 overage players. Mascherano wanted Messi, Angel Di Maria, and Emiliano Martinez to join the squad as the overage players.

Regarding Angel Di Maria, Mascherano revealed that the former insisted a youngster should take his place in the Albiceleste squad. The coach added that the team will try everything in their power to bring goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to Paris. Per prior rumors, Messi had the desire to feature in the Paris Olympics. But the Leagues Cup stands on his route to his second-ever Olympic tournament.

The Olympic schedule clashes with the Leagues Cup, leaving doubts about Lionel Messi’s presence

The 2024 Olympics will hold its soccer tournament from July 24- August 10. Interestingly, the Leagues Cup will begin on July 26 and it goes on till the end of August. If Argentina goes deep in Copa America’s knockouts Lionel Messi will miss more Inter Miami games than the expected tally of 7. Missing club games at the Leagues Cup for potential Olympics duty would hamper Messi’s smooth run with the Herons for the remainder of the season. Moreover, such a crammed schedule for club and country could also add fuel to the veteran’s injury concerns.

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For Lionel Messi, however, this is a chance to win a double Olympic gold. If won, Messi will equal the feat previously scaled only by Javier Mascherano and Hungary’s Deszo Novak. The Inter Miami captain won his first and only Olympic gold in 2008 with Argentina’s U-23 squad. Even then, his Olympic participation clashed with FC Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League schedule. But he put his nation ahead of his club.

Fans in Argentina would want a similar situation to transpire in the Inter Miami camp. But it is to be seen if the Herons camp would appreciate the same.

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