How Lionel Messi Could Fit the Paris Olympics Into 2024 Schedule With MLS and Copa America Matches

How Lionel Messi Could Fit the Paris Olympics Into 2024 Schedule With MLS and Copa America Matches

Joel Reyes
February 14, 2024 at 2:32 PM
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L.Messi
Inter Miami CF logoFArgentina logo
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CONMEBOL Copa America
Americas
United States Major League Soccer logo
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United States
Inter Miami CF logo
Club Internacional de Futbol Miami
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Argentina
Argentina
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  • Argentina qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday following a win over Brazil
  • U-23 coach, Javier Mascherano, invited Messi to compete in this year's Summer Games
  • The veteran previously won the gold medal for Argentina in the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Is Lionel Messi headed for a magical Olympic swansong with Argentina?

U-23 coach, Javier Mascherano, invited the Argentine legend to join his team for this year's Summer Games after they secured a spot in the Olympics over the weekend.

Sports Brief looks at how the Paris Olympics could fit into Messi's packed 2024 schedule.

Lionel Messi, Paris Olympics, MLS, Inter Miami, Argentina, Copa America
Inter Miami and Argentina star, Lionel Messi talks to the media in Tokyo. Image: Philip FONG.
Source: Getty Images

When will the Olympics take place?

The 2024 Summer Games will be held in Paris, France, from July 24 to August 11. Men's football matches will be played on the opening day, meaning Argentina could see action in the Olympics right away.

Messi's MLS schedule with Inter Miami

Messi and Inter Miami's international tour hasn't gone according to plan. They have won just once and became Public Enemy No. 1 in Hong Kong and China after Messi failed to play in an exhibition match.

They have one last preseason game to play against Newell's Old Boys before shifting their focus to the MLS regular season, which is scheduled to start on February 21 and finish on October 19.

The good news for Messi is that MLS matches will be paused from July 26 to August 25 because of the Leagues Cup. The Paris Olympics will be staged around that period, so he won't miss regular-season games for Inter Miami.

Messi's Copa America schedule with Argentina

The 2024 Copa America will take place in the United States from June 20 to July 14. Messi is expected to represent Argentina in this competition as he will be eager to defend the title they won back in 2021.

MLS won't pause matches for the Copa America, though, meaning the superstar will be missing some regular season games for the Herons.

Copa America and the Olympics won't overlap with the two tournaments separated by 10 days. It will be interesting to see if Messi can handle such a short turnaround, especially if La Albiceleste reach the final of the Copa America.

We still wouldn't rule out the GOAT from taking on that challenge. History beckons for Messi as he could become the first two-time Olympic champion and World Cup winner with a win in Paris.

Messi appears in Super Bowl commercial

Sports Brief recently reported on Messi appearing in a Super Bowl commercial.

He appeared in an ad for Michelob Ultra, alongside Ted Lasso and Dan Marino.

Authors
Joel Reyes photo
Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.