Javier Mascherano comments on Lionel Messi potentially playing at Olympics

Javier Mascherano has commented on the possibility of Lionel Messi playing at the Olympics.

Mascherano will be coaching the Argentina U23 national team in January during the pre-qualifiers where the top two teams from South America will qualify next year. Mascherano, who won gold twice with Argentina at the Olympics, spoke with EFE about Messi potentially playing with the team. Here is what he had to say:

“Leo has the national team’s doors open to do whatever he wants, that’s the reality.

“If he wants to go if we qualify, he will be welcome. My relationship with him is one of great friendship and I would love it.”

“First we have to qualify. After that, obviously, we will analyze the option of Leo coming. But it does us no good to think ahead: The reality is that we first have to qualify.”