Messi and Mascherano have a long history as teammates for Argentina and FC Barcelona. (Photo by Saeed Khan, Getty Images)
With qualification now secured, adding Messi to the squad would provide a huge boost to Argentina’s chances – and Mascherano’s stock as a coach.
In October of last year, Mascherano gave an interview in Argentina and said that “the doors are open” for Messi to do as he pleases with the national team. “If we qualify and (Messi) wants to come with us, he’ll be welcome,” said Mascherano. “We have a very strong relationship and I would absolutely love it.” Mascherano’s close relationship with Messi – having been his teammate for years with Barcelona and Argentina – gives credence to the notion that Messi may actually consider going to Paris. When Mascherano mentions Messi, people listen.
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino, though, would feel differently, as would MLS and league broadcaster Apple TV, which will carry the Leagues Cup on its Season Pass streaming channel. In the inaugural edition last summer, Messi scored 10 goals in seven matches.
“Honestly no, I haven’t talked about (the Olympics) with him,” Martino said with a laugh when asked earlier this month. “But I’ve read the reports. I’ve learned over the years that I shouldn’t pay attention to everything that I read.”
A week later, Martino told Deportes Total USA that Inter Miami’s Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gómez would have to choose between playing at the Olympics or featuring for his country at the Copa América. The question, though, was about whether Messi would have to decide between the two competitions. Clubs can’t hold players from playing at the Copa América, Martino said, but they won’t be obligated to release them for the Olympics.
“I have no problem with the players choosing, but they can only play in one,” said Martino. “They can’t be gone for two months. No one would do that.”
Messi during the men’s Olympic football tournament medal ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. (Photo by Adrian Dennis, AFP via Getty Images)
Martino knows better than to make a public decision for Messi. It’s a negative headline that Martino doesn’t want any part of. Ultimately, Messi, Mascherano or Scaloni will have to end all speculation. Messi doesn’t speak to reporters very often, and so it’s Mascherano who should end this situation, one that has gone as far as placing Messi as Argentina’s flag bearer in Paris.
In the end, even if Messi were to go to the Olympics, he might not be welcomed with open arms given his disappointing stint at Paris Saint-Germain. Former PSG winger Jerome Rothen, now an outspoken pundit in France, urged fans to jeer Messi if he were to play at the Olympics.
“We should not forget what he has not given,” Rothen said on his podcast. “As a French and a Parisian, seeing him parading with Argentina? Guys, if there is any way to dispute the fact that Messi took the piss on us for two years, boo him.”
Since leaving PSG and joining Inter Miami, Messi has said that living in Paris was a challenge for him and his family. Surely he’ll want to avoid being an unnecessary distraction for a young Argentina team that wants to make a name for themselves. That’s one more reason for Mascherano and AFA to put an end to the rumors.
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Source link : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5301811/2024/02/27/messi-olympics-copa-america-argentina/
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Publish date : 2024-02-27 03:00:00
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