Newell’s Old Boys star Ever Banega has pleaded for Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi to play for Argentina at the 2024 Olympics.
The reigning FIFA World Cup champions qualified for this summer’s competition in France earlier this week, with Argentina beating Brazil in the play-off final for a spot at the Olympics.
Since then, a lot of talk has circulated on whether Messi will travel to France to compete, with the attacker already set to feature for Inter Miami at the Copa America this summer.
And speaking to BeSoccer ahead of tonight’s match against Inter Miami, Banega has urged Messi to compete in the Olympics, with the Newell’s Old Boys eager to see the forward shine one last time.
Banega said about Messi playing at the Olympics: “Hopefully now he will enjoy what is coming and there will be time for the Olympics. But whenever Leo is in the national team, the flag is always flying high.
“I don’t know what he will do, but it would be great if he could accompany all those guys who qualified, especially knowing that he already knows what the Olympic Games are like and has won them. I hope he makes the best decision, but it would be nice to see him back in the Olympics with the national team.”
Newell’s Old Boys star can’t convince Lionel Messi to extend Inter Miami exit this summer
Whilst Banega is a former international teammate of Messi having played in the 2008 gold medal squad for Argentina at the 2008 Olympics, the midfielder can’t convince the forward to extend his Inter Miami leave this summer.
As we know, the Argentine and Herons captain is set to miss a large chunk of the MLS season this summer due to the Copa America, which takes place in the United States.
And if Messi was to travel to France for the Olympics, the forward will miss even more soccer for Inter Miami, a prospect Tata Martino’s side simply can’t allow.