Javier Mascherano explains why Inter Miami star Lionel Messi might not play for Argentina at the 2024 Olympic Games

It “won’t be easy” for Inter Miami playmaker Lionel Messi to be involved in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, according to Javier Mascherano, coach of Argentina’s Under-23 team.

Mascherano: “No pressure on Messi” for Paris Olympics

“I spoke with Leo and we agreed to talk about it again further down the line. He has just started the season with Inter Miami, there’s still plenty of time until the Olympics, especially considering he also has the Copa América coming up. It is not an easy situation. We have to see if he really has the energy to be there”, Mascherano told Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports. The 2024 Olympic Games will be held between 26 July and 11 August.

“You have to understand that Leo knows age is starting to have an effect and he also has to manage his time. It is not our intention to bother him or put pressure on him. We invited him to play well in advance and we’re giving him whatever he needs so he can think about it and see what options he had with his club. It is not easy for him, for Inter Miami and for MLS, to be absent for a while. He will make a decision when he can,” the former Barcelona midfielder added.

With Ángel Di María ruled out and Messi a doubt, Mascherano’s other worry is that he may not be able to call upon players who are based in Europe: “Except for those that are in Argentina, who we know we can call upon, the rest of the clubs are not obliged to let their players ago. In addition, there are a lot of players who are on loan and we don’t know if they’ll have to return to their parent clubs.”

How many Inter Miami games could Messi miss in the summer?

“Clubs still don’t know what they’ll be doing next season. It’s too early to sit down and discuss it, because right now they can’t give you an answer with any certainty. We are thinking things over and trying to have as many young players on our radar as possible. In the coming months, we will see who we can call upon,” Mascherano concluded.

The 2024 Leagues Cup is due to run from 26 July to 25 August, which means Messi would miss at least the group stage and perhaps the first knockout rounds if he goes away with Argentina.

He is also expected to take part in the 2024 Copa América, which starts on 20 June and finishes on 14 July. Six MLS matchdays are scheduled between those dates, with Messi certain to be absent for at least two at home to Columbus Crew, away to Nashville) during the group stage of the tournament.