After winning the 2022 World Cup in legendary fashion, Lionel Messi was widely expected to retire from international soccer. Instead, his international career may be taking on new life with a shot at another Olympic gold medal in play.
The superstar was invited by his former Barcelona and Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano, who currently coaches the Argentina U-20 team, to the upcoming Paris Olympics if the Albiceleste qualify for the Summer Games.
“Leo has an open door to the national team to do whatever he wishes—that’s the reality,” Mascherano said, per Marca. “If we end up qualifying [for the Olympics] and he wants to go, he will be welcome. My relationship with him is that of a great friendship and I would love it.”
