Lionel Messi offered captaincy role at Olympics as Argentina qualify but he might not accept
Argentina star Lionel Messi has been offered the captaincy ahead of the Olympics — if he attends.
The World Cup winners saw their Under-23s beat Brazil Under-23s 1-0 on Sunday night to progress to the Olympics this summer in France.
Current captain Thiago Almada, though, has said he would be willing to give up the armband if Messi would join up with the squad at the Paris Games.
The Atlanta United ace, who plays alongside the Inter Miami superstar in the MLS, is hoping that the 36-year-old could be talked into joining the squad.
He told Dsports: “I am very happy for the group and the coaching staff, they deserve it.
«We showed that we were better throughout the tournament, always surpassing our opponent.
»We have time to train and to continue to improve for the Olympic games.
«I hope Messi has the desire and can be at the Olympic games, it would be a dream. If Messi comes, I’ll give him the captain’s armband, obviously.
»Now they are the ones who have to decide if they come.”
Rules surrounding football teams at the Olympics state they must be 23 or under, though they are allowed a maximum of three players that are older.
Argentina have not won gold at the Olympics since 2008 in Beijing, the last time Messi was part of the squad as he led a golden generation including Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria and Juan Roman Riquelme.
While there is a chance Messi could commit to the squad, it would seem unlikely with the Copa America also going ahead this summer.
The tournament is set to be held between June 20 and July 14 in the United States.
And the Olympics is scheduled for two weeks later while the MLS season is also going ahead concurrently, meaning the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner would have to miss action for Inter Miami.
Messi has
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