Javier Mascherano, the coach of Argentina’s under-23 team, has suggested that the captain of Inter Miami might have the opportunity to take part in the Olympic Games in Paris.
When asked about the potential involvement of Messi, who is expected to lead Argentina in the 2024 Copa América, in the Olympics as well, Martino avoided directly mentioning Messi. Instead, he referred to Messi’s MLS teammate, Diego Gómez, as an example.
“He [Paraguay’s Gomez] has the Copa América and the Olympic Games,” Martino said.
“We know that we have to give him to the Copa and not to the Games; we communicate; I have many friends there [in Paraguay’s FA] and I told them to choose only one.”
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The 2024 Copa América will be staged in the United States from June 20–July 14, less than two weeks before the Games begin in Paris.
With the MLS season continuing uninterrupted while the Copa América takes place, Martino is against his players competing in both tournaments.
“I am a pro-national team, but in this case, there are two competitions [the Copa América and the Olympics] close together and that implies that a player is away for more than two months,” he said.
At 36 years old, Messi has previously competed in the Olympics, achieving gold in Beijing in 2008.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient secured victory in the 2021 Copa América and subsequently led Argentina to their third World Cup title the following year.