2021 and 2022 were the years of Lionel Messi. Trophies in the Copa America, Finalissma, and the most prestigious being the 2022 FIFA World Cup. But now Messi’s got this big choice to make – the Olympics or the 2024 Copa America. It’s not just about soccer; it’s a smart move he needs to make for himself and for his nation, Argentina.
The Olympics are usually for U-23 players, but a special rule lets three older players play on the team as well, and Messi could be the one to bring Argentina their first gold since 2008 in Beijing. Winning an Olympic gold would be a major deal for him and Argentina, especially with a young team, but is the glory of back to back Copa America titles worth more?
What is perhaps most difficult is that the Copa America, which is being held in the United States, will end roughly a week and a half before the 2024 Summer Olympics begin in Paris, France. It is realistically possible to play both, but that would be an incredibly taxing few weeks on Mesis’s body, and as he gets older, the decisions on what is best for him are becoming more and more important.
Both tournaments have equally compelling aspects to it. Messi won his first trophy with Argentina at the most recent Copa America in 2021, which was held in Brazil. Would he aim to go back to back and regain the title of the best of North and South America? Or, does he try to close out his international career by trying to win the same tournament where he made his big break on the international scene. The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, were massive coming out parties for Messi and fellow Argentine star, Angel Di Maria. The Olympics aren’t a FIFA level event so even though Messi won it in 2008. It wasn’t his first true international trophy; the 2021 Copa America was.
For most sports, the Olympic Games have the highest prestige of all the competitions, yet that is not the same for football. That honor will undoubtedly go to the World Cup. Also, if you are from South America then the Copa America is a massive deal. This is the issue that Messi faces, staying in the U.S. for the Copa, or going to Paris to play in what has been the most hyped up Olympic Games in quite some time.
Whatever he ends up choosing, Lionel Messi has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time. His World Cup win in 2022 certainly relieved him of a lot of the pressures he had been under. So, if he chooses the Copa then he would get one more chance to play in a big tournament with those same teammates, or he could play in the Olympics with the best of the next generation of Argentines.
