The Espoirs coach, Javier Mascherano, wants to call up stars Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria for the 2024 Olympic tournament.
Javier Mascherano dreams of seeing Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with Argentina. Indeed, the Albiceleste won their ticket for the next Olympics by beating Brazil (1-0) on Sunday. Mascherano, the Espoirs coach, has clearly expressed his ambition to include the two 2022 world champions in his team.
“We have a spectacular relationship with Messi and Di Maria, we are friends. As a coach, I have an obligation to invite them to the Olympic Games,” declared the former Barça and Liverpool player. And added: “But we understand that they have other commitments and that will depend on them. They have the right to decide what they want,” admitted the child from Santa Fe.
Messi and Di Maria, who will both be over 35 at the tournament, have already expressed interest in participating in the Olympics. Their presence would significantly strengthen the Argentina team, which is aiming to win its third Olympic title after 2004 and 2008.
Mascherano will have to compose his team carefully, because the rules of the Olympics allow only three players over 23 years old per selection. The simple arrival of the eight-time Ballon d’Or and his partner in Paris this summer would, however, constitute a major event for the Olympic Games.
