Javier Mascherano has hinted that Lionel Messi could stay with Inter Miami when Argentina compete in this summer’s Olympics.
The South American giants are one the early-tournament favorites to win gold in France, with Messi hotly tipped to be named in Argentina’s squad in what could be the forward’s final Olympic appearance.
The 36-year-old attacker has already won Olympic gold in his career back in 2008, yet Argentine media and pundits are keen for Messi to make one last bow in the games this summer.
Javier Mascherano hints that Lionel Messi misses the Olympics with Argentina
However, speaking to SportsCenter, Olympics manager Mascherano admitted that Messi might miss the competition given that the forward will likely lead Argentina in this summer’s Copa America.
With the tournament and the Olympics running back-to-back, Inter Miami could be without Messi for some time, a prospect that could hinder the Herons and their MLS playoff chances.
Mascherano said on Messi competing at the Olympics: “I spoke about the issue of the injury and knowing how he was, we will see. Leo’s case is similar to the rest of the players playing abroad. We will talk and we will see.
“We know that there is also the Copa America, we will have to see how it ends, but there is a logical difficulty that the players who go to the Copa America are going to spend a lot of time away from their clubs. That is never easy, but there is always hope.”
Inter Miami will hope Lionel Messi only competes in the Copa America
Messi’s fitness is one of the factors that will define Inter Miami’s season, with the attacker one of the franchise’s most important players and a key figure in the Florida side’s quest for success.
And if the Herons want to leave a historic mark on North American soccer this season, they will need Messi to be as fit as possible, which means the Argentine rejecting the call for the Olympics.
Whilst it would be sentimental for the attacker to compete in the games one last time, it is ultimately a competition that few senior players are interested in playing in, and Inter Miami will hope Messi makes the right decision.