‘Obviously!’ - Lionel Messi won’t face fight for Argentina’s No.10 shirt at 2024 Olympic Games as MLS rival Thiago Almada is happy to step aside in Paris

Highly-rated playmaker Almada, who is a domestic rival of Messi as they grace the books of MLS sides Atlanta United and Inter Miami respectively, has been filling an iconic jersey for the Albiceleste as they booked tickets to an international showpiece in Paris.

He would be prepared to pass that honour on if Messi agreed to join him in France later this year. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could be selected by Argentina as an overage player in what will be an U23 squad. An invitation has been extended to him, with head coach Javier Mascherano waiting to hear back from his former team-mate.

Almada, who remains in MLS for now despite generating plenty of transfer talk, has told TyC Sports when asked if he would give up the No.10 shirt if it meant having Messi on board: “Obviously I would give Messi 10. How could I not?”

He added when asked if Messi’s potential involvement in a gold medal bid has been discussed within Mascherano’s ranks: “It was not discussed. Masche did not tell us. He said nothing. Surely, when the time comes, it will depend on him.”

Almada has openly admitted that he wants to be joined by Messi in Paris, and he is not the only one clinging to that hope. Valentin Barco, who is now a Premier League player after linking up with Brighton, said of having an all-time great on board: “If Messi is there, it's a dream. I hope I can play with him.”

Part of the problem for Argentina in their bid to get Messi committed to an Olympic cause is that the Copa America is also due to take place this year. Argentina are the defending champions in that competition, with Messi ready to fill the captain’s armband in defence of a continental crown, and Inter Miami will be reluctant to release their talismanic skipper for back-to-back international tournaments.