SUMMARY
- Lionel Messi was the top performer in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He is an important player for the national team.
- Tiago Almada of the Under-23 Argentina team requested Messi to participate in the Olympics.
Lionel Messi is an important player for Argentina on the international stage. The 36-year-old was the country’s top performer in their FIFA World Cup 2022 triumph. Also, the legendary player has performed well for the nation in the World Cup 2026 qualifying matches.
Recently the Argentina Under-23 side defeated Brazil in the all-important Olympic qualifier clash. Midfielder Thiago Almada emerged as one of the most consistent performers for the country throughout the qualifying campaign. The 22-year-old had a special message for Lionel Messi during his post-match interview.
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
Thiago Almada reportedly asserted – “We will be very happy if Messi plays with us at the Olympics, it’s on him to decide”. Almada’s offer for Messi to join the national team in the upcoming Olympics does rejuvenate the hopes of seeing Leo in the Paris 2024 Olympics among soccer fans.
Lionel Messi invited to play in the Olympics by official organizers
According to the reports, Messi has been tipped to embrace the center stage in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The tournament’s official organizers themselves want the Argentine to be there. A few days earlier it was reported that Leo also wants to participate in the upcoming event. All of this hints towards the probable participation of the number 10 in the mega event.
🚨 JUST IN: Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María want to play the Olympics 2024 in Paris with Argentina if the team qualifies. @DSportsRadio 🇦🇷🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZmOQSzVbO1
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) January 19, 2024
Thomas Bech, who is the President of the International Olympic Committee, stated – “It would be fantastic if he (Messi) could be here”. “I don’t want to interfere in the decisions of the coach, but it would be a great opportunity for Messi. If he plays Argentina would have a greater chance of winning the gold medal. It would be fantastic for football and the Olympic games”, Thomas reportedly expressed.
Leo has earlier participated in the 2008 Olympics which was held in Beijing. His team Argentina did win a gold medal there. If the legendary number 10 takes part in the 2024 Olympics, it will give him a chance to win another gold for his country.
Argentina seals its spot in the 2024 Olympics
Through their impressive win over Brazil, Argentina’s under-23 team cemented their spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics to be kicked off in July 2024. Argentina defeated Brazil by a narrow scoreline of 1-0. The match was a fiercely fought contest and seemed close at times.
Leo Messi on Instagram 🩵🩵🇦🇷🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DqA0gOEOs7
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) February 11, 2024
From a neutral point of view, it would have been tough to predict or pick a winner as things were pretty level through most parts of the match. However, in the closing stages of the game Argentina’s forward player Luciano Gondou scored a crucial goal for his country to put his side ahead.
Gondou’s goal proved enough for Argentina’s team to see out the remaining minutes without conceding. Brazil tried their best but wasn’t able to break the deadlock by Argentina’s defenders. The winning team will be hoping to carry this momentum forward when the Olympics begin after a few months.
