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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Messi &amp; Di Maria opt to play in the Olympics for Argentina</li><li>Will fly to Paris after the Copa America title defence in the USA</li><li>Will train with the U-23 squad before the Summer Games</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Lionel Messi back in Paris! Inter Miami superstar wants to play for Argentina at 2024 Olympic Games alongside fellow veteran Angel Di Maria

According to <a href="https://www.directvsports.com/futbol/Exclusivo-Messi-y-Di-Maria-quieren-jugar-los-Juegos-Olimpicos-y-AFA-afina-el-plan-para-que-que-esten-en-Paris-20240119-0020.html" target="_blank">D Sports,</a> the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is eager to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-lionel-messi-argentina-2024-olympic-games-call-world-cup-angel-di-maria/blte6e057ce09438bb9#cs98d09fe0d046f4cc" target="_blank">represent the Albiceleste</a> in the upcoming Summer Games in Paris after the Copa America title defence in the United States. Messi is geared up to achieve a historic double with the national team, after capturing Argentina's third global crown in Qatar in December 2022. However, it all depends on Argentina managing to qualify for the event after successfully negotiating the qualifiers which are set to begin on Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Argentina will fly to China during the March international break and the team management has decided to include a few U-23 and U-20 players in the squad so that the youngsters can rub shoulders with Messi &amp; Di Maria and build chemistry before the Olympics. Moreover, the U-23 team will play two friendlies as part of their preparation for the Olympic Games, in which both the veterans are expected to take part.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi and Di Maria were part of Argentina's 2008 Olympic Gold winning squad in Beijing and the latter scored the winning goal in the final against Nigeria to fire the South American nation to glory. That side was led by Juan Riquelme and featured superstars like Javier Mascherano, who is currently the coach of the u-23 side, Ever Banega, Sergio Aguero, and Pablo Zabaleta to name a few. If Messi fires his team to another gold in the French capital then he will be the only player in history to have two Olympic golds and a World Cup.

DID YOU KNOW?

The MLS will be in full swing during the Olympics. However, Messi will miss just a single match with Inter Miami, the fixture against Chicago Fire on July 20. Whereas, Di Maria is expected to return to Argentina to ply his trade with his boyhood club, Rosario Central, after his contract with Benfica ends at the end of the current campaign.

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi back in Paris! Inter Miami superstar wants to play for Argentina at 2024 Olympic Games alongside fellow veteran Angel Di Maria | Goal.com US

Lionel Messi will reportedly be back in Paris as Inter Miami superstar wants to play for Argentina at the 2024 Olympic Games alongside Angel Di Maria.

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