Credit: X
J avier Mascherano, the u-23 manager of the Argentina team, said that the doors for Lionel Messi are open for the Paris Olympics 2024. The statement comes after Argentia qualified for this year’s summer games with a 1-0 thrashing of Brazil on Sunday, February 11, in the super-four stage of South America’s qualifying round.
With the defeat against Argentina, Brazil will not defend their Rio and Tokyo Olympic gold march in Paris. For La Albiceleste, it was Luciano Gondou, who starred with a header in the 78th minute that went past goalkeeper Mycael at the Brigido Iriarte Stadium in Caracas.
It will obviously depend on him: Mascherano on Messi's Olympics return
After qualifying for the Paris Olympics, Mascherano said, “Everyone already knows my relationship with Leo [Messi], the friendship I have. A player like him has the doors open to accompany us [at the Olympics], then it will obviously depend on him and his commitments.”
As per the latest Olympics rules, every team can include only three players above the age of 23 to represent their nation at the event. But the rest of the 18 players should be 23 or below.
Lionel Messi wins FIFA Best Award
Lionel Messi, representing Inter Miami CF in America, already holds the prestige of winning a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics with Argentina. Messi also holds the record for most Ballon d'Or awards by a player in history, with eight to his fore.
Recently, he was also awarded the FIFA Best Award following his title triumph campaign at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In his first Major League Soccer season for Inter Miami, he made a remarkable impact, making David Beckham owned-club MLS champion for the first time in history. He scored 11 goals in his debut season and provided eight assists in 14 matches played in the season.
