Now that Inter Miami’s season has come to an end, Lionel Messi has a lot of time on his hands. And what better way to pass the time than an invitation to take part in next year’s Olympics?
His former Barcelona and Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano, who is currently coaching the Argentina U-20 national team, recently spoke about not ruling out the possibility of having Messi join the squad.
“Leo has the doors of the national team open to do whatever he wants, that’s the reality,” Mascherano told EFE. “If, in the event that we qualify, he wants to go, he will be welcome. My relationship with him is that of a great friendship and I would love it.”
The Argentina National Team have two tournaments coming up in 2024 — Copa America and the Summer Olympics in Paris, which they have to qualify for. And at 36 (going on 37) years old, Messi fits the Olympic’s overage player criteria to compete once again.
Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), also expressed that it “would be fantastic” to have the star participating in the Games.
“For Lionel Messi, it would mean a chance to write history once again,” Bach said in a news conference. “He could be the only player in history to have two [Olympic] gold medals and a World Cup.”
Messi won one Olympic gold medal back in 2008 and if he were to return, it would be yet another incredible feat to his already impressive resume.
Whether Messi accepts the invitation, we’re impatiently waiting for the 2024 Paris Olympics but until then, we know where to get more of the legendary player. Click here to get your tickets to The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True, coming to Miami in April 2024. You don’t want to miss out!