Until a few weeks before the start of the
Paris
Olympic Games
, on Friday, July 26, the hope will be latent that
Lionel Messi
will command the
Under-23 National Team
led by
Javier Mascherano
.
And the illusion has something to sustain itself, beyond the fact that the world champion from Rosario has not sent any signs.
"I spoke with Leo
," the coach confessed in TyC Sports.
It is advisable to be realistic: there are not many chances that Messi has of being in Paris because the MLS will continue its season between July and August.
La Pulga will already miss some duels with Inter Miami during the Copa América.
Remember:
Leo already won the gold medal in Beijing 2008
.
"
We agreed to talk to Leo again in a while
. He has just started the season with Inter Miami, there is still time left for the Games, especially knowing that he also has the Copa América. It is not an easy situation. We have to see if he really has the energy to be there," Mascherano explained.
And he added: "
We must understand that Leo is clear that age is beginning to count for him as well and that, beyond the fact that he has a superlative level
, he clearly has to manage his time. It is not our intention to bother him or pressure him. "We invited him ahead of time and we give him what he needs so he can think about it and see the club's options. It's not easy for him to be absent for a while either."
The steps, then, are taken: Mascherano not only spoke with Leo, but also announced that he had already invited him to participate.
Thus, the ball is in the hands of the world champion captain in Qatar.
A necessary clarification:
clubs are not obliged to release players for this competition
.
But beyond Messi, the coach referred to Ángel Di María and Emiliano Dibu Martínez.
“Ángel appreciated the call, but he has no intention of going to Paris.
We have ruled him out, he wants to make room for the younger ones," confessed Masche.
And he highlighted: "
How can we not take Dibu Martínez into account?
We have the advantage of having the world champion team. There are many players who contribute hierarchy. Dibu is among the best goalkeepers in the world. We always take into account the desire of him, but then we have to bring that desire to reality; because the clubs have the decision to tip the balance for yes or no. We still do not have the information from the coach of the senior team in this sense. It is not easy to throw names, because there is a lack of certainty. I also like to respect the U-23 boys who have achieved classification and those who have been part of the process."
Federico Redondo and his talk with Messi at Inter Miami
At home and ready for what's to come 🏠👊 pic.twitter.com/skjtsc635J
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 5, 2024
This Tuesday, in addition, the youth Federico Redondo was presented at Inter Miami, where he will be Messi's teammate.
And on American soil, Fernando's son was asked about the possibility of Leo being in France.
"For all of us who participated in the Pre-Olympic it would be a dream for Leo to play, but obviously I didn't ask him anything
," explained Redondo, who shared training for the first time with the man from Rosario.
And he added: "I went to greet the locker room and the welcome from him was very warm. I was a little nervous, but Messi asked me how the trip was and everything. That Messi is in this club had weight in "My decision. He is the best player in history and sharing the court with him is a dream."