Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria set for Paris return with Argentina U-23 manager Javier Mascherano keen to invite former PSG duo to Olympic Games | OneFootball

What if France’s Kylian Mbappé (25) get a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final against former PSG teammates Lionel Messi (36) and Angel Di Maria’s (35) Argentina? The France captain has always made no mystery of his desire to feature in the Olympic Games in his home city as Paris prepares to host sport’s biggest event from July 26 to August 11. On Sunday, the Argentina U-23 team booked its ticket for the Olympic tournament held in France courtesy of their 1-0 win against double gold medallists Brazil.

Speaking to the media, former Liverpool and Barcelona defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano, now the manager of Argentina’s youth team, has revealed he was very keen on bringing Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria to the Paris Olympic Games football tournament, whose final will be held at PSG’s Parc des Princes.

‘The invitation clearly stands’

“Well, everyone knows my relationship with Leo and my friendship with him”, Mascherano said to Reuters. “A player like Leo has opened doors and the invitation to accompany us then will obviously depend on him, his compromises and his time, but the invitation clearly stands.” National teams taking part in the Olympic Games’ football tournament are allowed three overage players in their squad.

Messi has already won an Olympic tournament alongside Di Maria – it was sixteen years ago for the 2008 Beijing games. However, Di Maria stated that he intends to conclude his international career after the 2024 Copa America held this summer – a tournament Messi is also expected to feature in with Lionel Scaloni’s senior squad.

Besides, the Olympics football tournament is no part of the FIFA calendar, meaning Messi and Di Maria’s respective clubs – Inter Miami and SL Benfica – may veto their participation to the Games. “They earn the right to decide what’s best for them“, Mascherano adds. “But it’s obvious we’ll try to invite them and we’ll see. I have to invite them.“

GFFN | Bastien Cheval