Javier Mascherano, coach of the Argentina Under-23 football team, stated that the door is open for Lionel Messi to participate in the Paris Olympics this year. Argentina secured its spot in the Olympic Games after winning 1-0 against Brazil in the semifinals of the South American qualifiers last Sunday.
In response to a question regarding the possibility of Messi (36 years old) joining the team in Paris, Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi with the Argentina national team and Barcelona, told reporters, "Well, everyone knows my relationship with Leo and the friendship I have with him. I have always said that a player like Leo opens doors, and it is clear that the invitation to join us will depend on him, his concessions, and his time, but the invitation will clearly be there."
Messi, now with Inter Miami, led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and previously won the gold medal with the national team at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
