Atlanta United playmaker Thiago Almada has urged Lionel Messi to leave Inter Miami this summer to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Argentina this weekend qualified for this summer’s competition after beating Brazil 1-0 in a qualification playoff, with Messi hotly tipped to feature for the U-23 squad as one of the over-aged players.
Managed by former FC Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano, Messi could be tempted to answer the call, and MLS rival Almada has now urged the Inter Miami star to commit to the tournament.
Almada told Dsports when asked about Argentina qualifying for the Olympics and Messi potentially taking part: “I am very happy for the group and the coaching staff, they deserve it.
“We showed that we were better throughout the tournament, always surpassing our opponent. We have time to train and to continue to improve for the Olympic games.
“I hope Messi has the desire and can be at the Olympic games, it would be a dream. If Messi comes, I’ll give him the captain’s armband, obviously. Now they are the ones who have to decide if they come.”
Inter Miami have to block Lionel Messi from going to the Olympics
With Messi already likely to captain Argentina in this summer’s Copa America, the last thing Inter Miami will want is for their star player to leave again for another competition.
Whilst the Olympics are a big thing for Argentinan football fans, most would understand if Messi was unable to compete in the tournament given the greater importance the Copa America has.
Moreover, for Inter Miami, they will not stand for their best player once again traveling the globe competing in, arguably, needless soccer matches, especially at Messi’s age.
Indeed, whilst Messi might want to travel to France, Inter Miami need to put a stop to this potential plan as soon as possible, with the 36-year-old attacker too valuable to be risked.