The World Cup-winning duo of Lionel Messi and Di Maria are expected to lead the Argentina team in the Paris 2024 Olympics as desired by their former teammate Javier Mascherano. Mascherano is currently coaching the U20 team, which is set to play the Pre-Olympic Qualifiers in order to secure their place in the mega event in Paris.
However, the duo’s availability for the Olympics is still in question as Copa America 2024 is scheduled right before the Olympics. Despite Mascherano’s request, the Argentina FA will have the final say as to whether they will send the World Cup winners to Paris.
Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria are eligible to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Now the question arises whether Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria are eligible to take part in the tournament. The answer is yes, they are eligible according to the FIFA and the International Olympic Committee rules. The U23 men’s football teams are allowed to include only three players over the age of 23, which accommodates a possible team-up of the iconic Argentine duo in the coming Olympics.
Since 1992, male competitors have been required to be under 23 years old, and since 1996, a maximum of three over-23-year-old players have been allowed per squad in the Olympics.
The only thing that can prevent the two World Cup heroes from participating in the Olympics is the fact that Argentina will be defending their Copa America title in June 2024, prior to the Paris Olympics.
Former Barcelona player wants Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria on Argentina’s 2024 Olympics team
Recently, Argentina celebrated the 15th anniversary of their Gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the triumph in which Javier Mascherano himself featured alongside Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. Now as a coach he wants his former teammates to lead the next generation in Paris.
“In the event of qualification, it would clearly be a source of pride for us to be able to have two world champions and this type of players.”, Mascherano told TyC Sports.
Mascherano also invited Lionel Scaloni, coach of the Argentine Senior National Team, to direct the 2024 Olympic Games. “If we qualify for the Olympic Games, he (Scaloni) has the right to be the coach,” he said.
For the Paris Olympics, the presence of Kylian Mbappé could be expected in the France U23 team, as he had voiced his desire to represent his country in the mega event that will be hosted in the French Captial. We could possibly see Messi and Mbappe lock horns again, if that happens to be the case.
What are your thoughts on the coming Olympics? Share with us below.
