The Argentina under-23 squad has qualified for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Manager Javier Mascherano can bring three veteran players to join his young team, and he left the door open for Lionel Messi.
Nevertheless, Jérôme Rothen, a pundit for RMC Sport, opposes the idea of the French audience giving a warm reception to the Argentine upon his potential return to Paris. If Messi is part of the team, Rothen wants to see Parisians whistle the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.
“As a Parisian and Frenchman, to see him here showing off with Argentina? Guys, if there’s a way to contest the fact that Messi messed with us for two years, boo him,” Rothen said on Tuesday on RMC Sport. “[It will] show him that we are very unhappy with the image he has given of PSG, Paris, and France…
“Before, I used to think it was a good idea: for the image of the Olympics, it would be fantastic, like a gift from heaven, for Messi to come and enhance football. And I have nothing against his image, for all he has done for football… However, once you respect the player, the man, and his career, you shouldn’t have a short memory. And I get the impression that some already do.”
The pundit has criticized the 26-year-old during his two seasons with PSG, so these remarks shouldn’t come as a surprise. Nonetheless, it’s hard to envision Messi, at his age, wanting to do a Copa América and Olympics in one summer while having to then jump into an MLS season.
Furthermore, Messi boasts an Olympic gold medal from his victory in 2008. Will the seasoned player be inclined to dedicate his entire summer to Olympic participation? The forthcoming months promise an intriguing narrative to observe.
