2024-03-05 23:35:39
The coach of the Argentine Olympic soccer team, Javier Mascherano, revealed in an interview the reason why Ángel Di María decided not to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and it is because he has already chosen to give the baton to another youth player rather than occupy him that place.
In his statements, Mascherano shared that he had spoken with Lionel Messi, inviting him to be one of the three older players who could participate in the Olympic competition. However, he also recognized that Di María’s possibility was not viable, since the Benfica player had previously stated that the next Copa América would be the closing of his career in the Argentine National Team.
“I also spoke with Ángel. Above all to ask him what the situation was because he had heard it and he confirmed again that he appreciated the chance but that he had no intention of going to the Games. He had had the opportunity (in Beijing 2008) and I commented that he preferred to leave the place to another boy, the opportunity to live the experience that he had already lived and was lucky enough to win,” Mascherano explained.
Di María, for his part, had previously announced in an interview that he was not going to be part of the squad that would travel to France. “I think he’s already there. I’ve earned the ability to say this far when I decide. The Copa América is the last thing,” the player had assured.
Regarding the possibility of having Emiliano Martínez in the Olympic Games, Mascherano expressed his interest in considering the goalkeeper’s desire to participate in the event, although he recognized “the logistical difficulties due to the lack of obligation on the part of the clubs to yield to footballers to compete on dates that do not correspond to FIFA”.
“Then that desire must be made reality and we know that it is not easy for the clubs, which have the power to tip the balance for yes or no,” said the coach about the chance of having the Top footballers in Europe. “If there is something I am missing with the National Team, it is winning the Olympic Games,” the goalkeeper had said.
Despite the uncertainties and logistical challenges, Mascherano remains hopeful of having a competitive team at Paris 2024, with the aim of representing Argentina in the best possible way at the Olympic Games.