"If Messi wants to play in the Olympics, he's welcome to do so"

At 36, Lionel Messi will face one of the most attractive years of his career in 2024 with three goals on the horizon: the Copa America, MLS from the start of the competition and perhaps the dream of returning to the Olympics, a possibility not ruled out by his compatriot Javier Mascherano.
"Leo has the doors of the national team open to do whatever he wants, that's the reality. If, in the event that we qualify, he wants to go, he will be welcome. My relationship with him is one of great friendship and I would love to," said Mascherano, U23 coach and in charge of leading the 'Albiceleste' on their way to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to 'EFE' during a video call.
To achieve this, Argentina must first seal their ticket to the Pre-Olympic in Venezuela in January and 'El Jefecito' is cautious. "First, we have to qualify. After that, obviously, we are going to consider the option of Leo coming.
"But there's no point getting ahead of ourselves: the reality is that first we have to qualify," he concluded.