Argentina’s national team coach wants to send Messi to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. With France’s Kylian Mbappe also likely to play, it could be a rematch between the two.
Argentine media outlet TYC Sports published an interview with Javier Mascherano, who coaches Argentina’s U-20 national team, on Saturday. “To have two world champions and this type of player is definitely a source of pride for us. We have players who are qualified to decide certain things. Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria are part of that.”
Messi is being considered for the Paris Olympics. Spanish media outlet Sport reported on April 18 that “Messi and Di Maria could play at the Paris Olympics next year. He may already be thinking about taking on a new challenge. Mascherano revealed the possibility that world champion Messi could be in the Argentina squad for the Olympics.”
Mascherano is an Argentine coach who is a former Liverpool and Barcelona legend. He and Messi played together for Barcelona and the national team during their playing days. He traveled to four World Cups, from Germany 2006 to Russia 2018. They also celebrated together when Argentina won the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Messi already boasts one of the best careers in soccer history. She has won every world championship a soccer player can win. He’s won the Ballon d’Or, the Treble, the Champions League, the Copa America, and the Olympics.바카라사이트
He was also a key part of the last World Cup-winning Argentina national team. Starting with the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Messi has played in five World Cups, but has failed to lift the trophy each time. At the last World Cup in Qatar, which was likely to be his last, he finally won the title after defeating France. During the tournament, Messi scored seven goals and three assists in seven games. His World Cup victory cemented his place alongside Argentine legend Diego Maradona as a true “GOAT” in soccer history.
After fulfilling his final dream, Messi hinted at retiring from the World Cup squad, only to announce his return. In June, Messi played in a friendly against Australia during the A-match. In September, he played in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 North and Central American World Cup. In the first round, Messi scored the winning goal against Ecuador. Against Bolivia, he was left off the roster due to fatigue.
If Messi makes it to the Olympics, he could face off against Mbappe. One of France’s top strikers and a key part of the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) lineup, Mbappe has played alongside Messi for two years at the club.
He made a name for himself early on with the senior national team. He exploded onto the scene at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, helping France win the tournament, and won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he finished runner-up. France is already considering using Mbappe as a wildcard.
If the pair were to meet, it would be a revenge match in about a year and a half. At the last World Cup in Qatar 2022, France and Argentina met in the final, which was tied 3-3 in a back-and-forth affair. The game went to penalty kicks with the score tied at 3-3. The final score was 4-2 in favor of Argentina.
The international media is also interested in the matchup. “It would be a simmering reunion if the two teams met at the Olympics,” said Italian outlet Blasting News on Aug. 18. France will not want to lose again against Argentina in Paris. It would be special to have the two stars of the last World Cup together.”
Along with Messi, Di Maria also had a strong showing in the final against France, scoring a goal and providing an assist. In addition to Mbappe, France is also considering using Antoine Griezmann as a wildcard alongside their ace striker. The upcoming Olympics could be a repeat of the last World Cup final.
