Messi may consider Paris Games as Argentine overager
Lionel Messi’s jam-packed 2024 schedule include a trip to Paris for the Olympic Games?
Argentina coach Javier Mascherano is hopeful, but he knows Messi, 36, has plenty to consider.
Along with starring with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, Messi is expected to join Argentina – the reigning 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup champions – for Copa America.
Mascherano, who coaches Argentina’s under-23 team, said he had conversations with Messi about being one of three possible overage players to join Argentina’s Olympic roster.
“I spoke with Leo and we agreed to keep talking. He has just started the season with Inter Miami and we still have some time until the Olympic Games. And we have to consider he also has the Copa América ahead this summer. It is not an easy situation,” Mascherano told TyC Sports on Tuesday.
“We have to see if he really has the energy to be there [in Paris]. It is not our intention to bother him or pressure him. We made him an invitation in advance, and we gave him all the facts he needs to think about it and to talk with his club. It is not easy for him, either, to manage it with Inter Miami and the MLS and to be absent for a while. He will decide at the right time.”
It’s possible either tournament will be Messi’s last major competition with Argentina after the World Cup victory.
“We have to understand that Leo’s age is a factor now,” Mascherano said. “He clearly has to manage his efforts.”
Leagues Cup or Olympics?
Messi must decide between the Olympics or the Leagues Cup tournament, which is sponsored by Apple – Messi’s media partner, who was instrumental in his Inter Miami acquisition last summer. Inter Miami is also the deCould fending Leagues Cup champion. It appears business could play a factor in Messi’s decision.
The Olympics are July 24 to Aug. 10, the Leagues Cup July 26 to Aug. 25.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino prefers his players to play in either Copa America or the Olympics but not both.
Messi helped Argentina win gold in in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Copa America in June and July
Messi will leave Inter Miami for most of June while competing in Copa America. The tournament begins with Argentina playing the opening match in Atlanta against Canada or Trinidad and Tobago on June 20. The Copa America final will be held at the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins on July 14.
Messi would miss at least five Inter Miami matches if Argentina reaches the Copa América final again.