Argentina's U23 boss has provided an update as to whether or not Lionel Messi will be participating at the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games.
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The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to endure yet another taxing period of football once the European club season draws to a close.
Argentina will be defending their Copa America title in the United States of America, while Inter Miami will also be looking to defend their crown as Leagues Cup champions in the months of July and August.
While the Herons will be competing in cup action, Javier Mascherano will be leading the Albiceleste at the Paris Olympic Games.
When the former Barcelona and Liverpool defender was asked as to whether or not Messi would accept a call-up to win his second Games gold medal, he told TyC Sports: "Lionel is aware that age is also catching up with him.
"Even though he is Messi, he has to manage his workload because he has had a year of heavy activity.
"We don't want to bother him; we simply extended an invitation for him to join us at the Olympics. We believed it was necessary to extend this invitation so that he has the time to think it over and analyse it because he would have to leave his club."
Mascherano went on to admit that Messi's fellow 2022 FIFA World Cup winners Angel Di Maria and Emiliano Martinez were also in consideration, but added that only one of them could potentially be included in the team.
"How could we not consider Dibu Martínez?" the 39-year-old continued. "We have the advantage of having the World Cup-winning team. There are many players who bring quality. Dibu is among the best goalkeepers in the world.
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"Angel (Di María) appreciated the call, but he has no intention of going to Paris. We have ruled him out; he wants to give space to the younger players."
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