Lionel Messi: What are criteria that allows Messi to play in Paris Olympics 2024?

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The Argetina team recently qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics by defeating Brazil by a 1-0 margin. The summer Olympics this year is set to start on July 26. The Albicelestes last won the gold medal back in 2008.

The team that won the gold medal that year included Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. This year their U23 team coach Javier Mascherano will again be aiming for the gold medal going into the Olympics.

He revealed recently that he has invited both of his former teammates Messi and Di Maria to join the youngsters in their quest. As per rules, the participating teams need to be the nation's U23 teams. However, three overage players can join them.

Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria can play for the participating junior Argentina team in this criteria. Juan Roman Riquelme, Nicolas Pareja, and Javier Mascherano were the three overage players that played alongside Messi for their 2008 Olympics gold medal win.

Both Mascherano and the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach invited Messi for the Olympics. However, the situation will not be easy for either Messi or Di Maria to join the Argentina team that will be travelling to Paris in July, 2024.

Angel Di Maria already said that this year's Copa America competition will be his last hurrah with the Argentina team. Additionally, this year's Copa America is set to begin on June 20. If the reigning champions reach the final, then their campaign will end on July 14.

Considering the Summer Olympics will start only 6 days later, it will undoubtedly be a hectic schedule for Lionel Messi. Additionally, Inter Miami heavily bank on their star player. Miami will try to win the MLS title this season.

Messi will not be able to play for at least six Inter Miami matches if he participates in both competitions. Hence, Miami will not be ready to let him go and play without their ace for around two months.