Lionel Messi will be left alone by Argentina to make a decision on his involvement at the 2024 Olympics, with Angel Di Maria in the same position.
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All-time great preparing for start of MLS seasonHas Copa America title defence to come this yearNo decision made on involvement at Paris GamesWHAT HAPPENED?
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has a busy year ahead of him, with the new MLS season at Inter Miami due to get underway in February. Messi will have international action in the middle of that campaign, with Argentina preparing to defend their Copa America crown when that event heads to the United States.
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There is a chance that Messi will also agree to be an overage selection in the U23 Olympic tournament, having previously claimed a gold medal back in 2008, but neither he nor fellow 2022 World Cup winner Di Maria will be rushed into making a big call.
WHAT MASCHERANO SAID ABOUT MESSI
Argentina U20 coach Javier Mascherano, who is readying the Albiceleste for the Games in Paris, has told of potentially having two legendary figures to call upon: “Leo and Angel earned the right to choose; if they want to play in the Olympic Games they can do so. I understand that Angel said that their closing is with the Copa America, although it would also be a nice closing in the Games.”
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Mascherano is also looking to get a World Cup winner on board at the Olympics off the field, with the former Liverpool and Barcelona star prepared to pass managerial reins on to senior head coach Lionel Scaloni. He added ahead of the CONMEBOL qualification tournament: “The objective is to qualify for the Olympic Games. If everything goes well in the pre-Olympic event, I hope that Scaloni can lead the national team in the Paris Olympic Games.”