Why Lionel Messi at 2024 Olympics is far from ‘simple’ despite Argentina U23 coach Javier Mascherano having ‘obligation’ to select former Barcelona team-mate

The 2022 World Cup winner, who has eight Ballons d’Or to his name, picked up a gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008. It has been suggested that he could return to that stage when a global sporting showpiece heads to Paris.

Argentina have qualified for the Olympic tournament and could call upon Messi as an overage pick. The Albiceleste will, however, be in Copa America action this summer at senior level – with a continental crown to defend in the United States.

U23 coach Mascherano who once played alongside Messi for Barcelona and Argentina, has told TyC Sports of calling upon legendary figures: “One understands the times for the senior national team: there's the Copa America, it's not easy. For that reason we have to be cautious, obviously we're going to talk about everything. You know my relationship with both Angel and Leo. We're friends, we have a spectacular relationship. Me as a manager, obviously I have the obligation to invite them but one also understands that they have other commitments. It will also depend on that, it's not so simple. Equally there is time to talk about it.”

While the Copa America has to be taken into consideration, Messi also has club commitments at Inter Miami throughout the summer of 2024. The MLS outfit will be understandably reluctant to release their superstar captain for back-to-back international tournaments.