SUMMARY
- Argentina's U-23 coach, Javier Mascherano, invites Messi to join his team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Jerome Rothen, former PSG player, makes a bold statement regarding Messi's participation in Paris Olympics..
After two difficult years at PSG, Lionel Messi is finally enjoying his life following his Inter Miami move. Messi, who moved to the United States last year, had a tough time in Paris. Due to his abrupt exit from FC Barcelona and a troubled relationship with the French fans, Messi’s stint at PSG was rather dreadful. However, following the possibility of Messi’s return to the French capital, he has been issued a warning.
The 2022 World Cup champions Argentina has finally secured its place in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Argentina defeated their arch-rivals Brazil in a must-win game to confirm its qualification. This has led to the possibility of Messi playing for the national team at the Olympic Games again. However, the Argentine skipper will not be welcomed on his potential return to Paris.
He wants Parisians to boo Lionel Messi at the Olympics 😬 pic.twitter.com/88tAHWosti
— GOAL (@goal) February 14, 2024
Former PSG and French international Jerome Rothen has made a bold statement regarding Lionel Messi’s potential participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Rothen said, “Messi took the p*ss on us for two years, boo him.” While Rothen asking the French fans to boo Messi comes as a rather harsh take, it hasn’t been the first instance that he has criticized the ex-PSG forward.
During Messi’s two-year stint at the Parisian club, Rothen often criticized Messi’s performances. He raised questions over Messi’s 2023 Ballon d’Or victory and claimed that Messi didn’t perform in the big games for PSG. Rothen also accused Messi of changing his behavior following Argentina’s World Cup triumph. Lastly, the former French star even stated that Messi only joined PSG for financial reasons.
Argentina’s U-23 coach has opened the doors for Lionel Messi
Argentina’s U-23 coach Javier Mascherano has opened the doors for Lionel Messi’s arrival to his team. Since Argentina qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, there is the possibility of Messi playing in the Olympic games. Moreover, Argentina’s U-23 coach Javier Mascherano is also Messi’s former national team and FC Barcelona teammate.
Responding to the rumors of Messi joining the national team for the Olympics, Mascherano said, “A player like him has the doors open to accompany us [at the Olympics].” However, the former FC Barcelona defender did state that Messi’s participation solely depends on him and his commitments. While Messi has yet to respond to these rumors, his compatriot Angel Di Maria has already ruled out his participation in the Paris Olympics.
Argentine star offers to sacrifice his captaincy for Lionel Messi’s return
Meanwhile, Argentina’s U-23 side skipper Thiago Almada has expressed his desire of wanting to play alongside Lionel Messi at the 2024 Olympic games. Almada, Argentina‘s promising youngster, successfully led his side to the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification. However, Almada is willing to give up the captain’s armband if Messi decides to play in the Olympics.
Thiago Almada: “We will be very happy if Messi plays with us at the Olympics, it’s on him to decide.” @fczyz pic.twitter.com/tDFTm3257E
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) February 11, 2024
Almada said, “I hope Messi has the desire and can be at the Olympic games, it would be a dream. If Messi comes, I’ll give him the captain’s armband, obviously.” Besides Messi, La Albicelestes can choose two more players who are over 23 years old. Interestingly, since Messi and Argentina’s gold medal triumph at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the South American giants are yet to win another Olympic gold.