International Olympic Committee president, Argentinian coach opens door for Messi to participate in Paris Olympics

Lionel Messi is widely expected to retire from international football after winning the 2022 World Cup in legendary fashion. Instead, his international career could be given a new lease of life and the prospect of another Olympic gold medal.

The superstar has been invited by his former Barcelona and Argentina team-mate and current Argentina U-20 coach Javier Mascherano to take part in the upcoming summer games if Albiceleste qualify for the Summer Olympics of the Paris Olympics.

"Leo has the door open for the national team and he can do whatever he wants - that's the reality," Mascherano said, according to Marca. "If we finally qualify [for the Olympics] and If he wants to go, we will welcome him. My relationship with him is a great friendship and I would be happy."

However, although Olympic rules allow each team to field three players over the age of 23, the chances of the 36-year-old Messi participating in the Paris Olympics seem slim. Although Messi has already won an Olympic gold medal after winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he is more likely to participate with the national team in the America's Cup in the United States in June and July; while Inter Miami is in the Major League Soccer League (MLS) ) is unlikely to release its star players for back-to-back games midseason.

But that hasn't stopped International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach from remaining hopeful.

“It would be great if he could come here,” Bach said. "For Lionel Messi, it means a chance to write history again. He is probably the only player in history to win two gold medals and a World Cup."