Javier Mascherano
took a thousand kilo backpack off his back.
Qualifying for the
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
with the Under 23 Team made him breathe a sigh of relief.
Losing the ticket to the mid-year event in France would surely have meant the end of his career as a youth coach.
But the 1-0 against Brazil revitalized him and now he will face the commitment of going for the third gold medal, since he as a player won the two that the national team has.
“I'm happy because I can enjoy this moment.
The previous experiences had not been good, but I am calm since one always tries to do the best," said a relaxed Mascherano, who before the defining crossing had thrown a phrase at journalism that put its continuity in check: "Such "Maybe they'll get lucky and I'll only have one game left."
Mascherano, after qualifying for Paris 2024: "First I thank my family, who are the ones who often have to endure all these bad times that one has when deciding the path of training."
pic.twitter.com/BTOD7jK0bE
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) February 11, 2024
“We had the goal of qualifying and it was a great relief for everyone.
We were the best team in the tournament.
We were always superior to the rival.
In the final phase we missed the results for one reason or another,” the coach said.
And he continued with the analysis of the victory: “We expected a match where Brazil was going to retreat and come out on the counter.
We had the obligation to go look for him but we couldn't go crazy.
In the PT we were superior but we did not find too many situations.
At the ST it opened and we started playing.
In two situations Leo (Brey) supported us and was key to giving us peace of mind.”
Masche also referred to the criticism and how he takes it when things didn't go the way they did at the U20 World Cup: “If I were somewhere else it would be different.
When they offered me this position I knew that I was going to live with criticism and I think it has to do with everything I have experienced in the National Team.
Criticism is accepted, I always accepted it, to know how to grow.
Today the ball went in and we are happy.
Another day he won't come in and we will be sad.
The people who are next to me, the president and the coordinator, see me work and if I have their support it means that I will be doing something well,” stated the light blue and white coach.
He confirmed that he will be the one directing in Paris.
And he left the door open to an invitation to Lionel Messi: “I spoke with him, he congratulated us.
He is a big fan of the National Team and he was happy.
We will try to send him the invitation for him to be there.
We'll talk".
MESSI CONGRATULATED THE U-23 FOR THE CLASSIFICATION
"He congratulated us. We know that Leo is a big fan of the National Team and follows all the youth teams. There will be time to talk," Mascherano commented.
pic.twitter.com/s2RHMudKU5
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) February 11, 2024
To close, after talking about Messi, the Little Boss referred to the chances of calling up Di María who already announced that after the Copa América he would end his relationship with the National Team.
Could there be a last dance for the partners in the Copa América and Qatar feat?
"With Leo and Ángel we have a spectacular relationship, we are friends. As a coach I have the obligation to invite them, but one understands that they have other commitments and it will depend on that, it is not that simple."
"I HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO INVITE MESSI AND DI MARÍA"
"With Leo and Ángel we have a spectacular relationship, we are friends. AS A COACH I HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO INVITE THEM but one understands that they have other commitments and it will depend on that, it is not that simple," Javier Mascherano signs pic.twitter.com/SRNZeKC7Cd
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) February 12, 2024