Mascherano leaves the Olimpico and throws the ball to Scaloni: “I hope to be able to coach the Under 23s”

The coach of the Under 23 team, Javier MascheranoI wish Lionel Scaloniworld champion coach, will lead the Olympic team in case of qualification for the Paris 2024 Games. “If everything goes well in the Pre-Olympic, I hope Scaloni can lead the Under 23 team. “This would allow us to know what will continue until 2026.”Masche said.

On the other hand, he assured that Scaloni “is very close to the youth team”. “This is fantastic for the youth coaching staff. Having the world champion coach as a source of advice is spectacular and we appreciate it,” he added.

In view of Venezuela’s debut in the Pre-Olympic next Sunday against Paraguay, Mascherano has raised the possibility of handing over the leadership of the team in Paris 2024 to Scaloni.

In this sense and with the possibility that the Gringo leave the selected after the America’s Cup of the United Statesthe former captain assured that his goal is not to lead the senior national team.

“I’m not the right one and I don’t know if I’m the right one. My goal is to qualify the Under 23 team for the Olympic Games and lead the next Under 20 team.”said Mascherano.

If Argentina gets one of two places to go in search of a third gold medal in Paris, the little boss He reiterated that the doors are also open for Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María.

“Leo and Ángel have earned the possibility to choose, if they want to play, they can do it”said the former player who participated in the conquests of Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

In recent days the Under 23s suffered the loss of their defender Giuliano Malatiniwho has been transferred from Defensa y Justicia to Werder Bremen, Germany, and his new club will not release him for the tournament.

“I don’t agree with the decision made by Julián. We were surprised because we didn’t know anything. “She told us it was a great opportunity and she decided to leave.”complained the coach who will now have 22 of the 23 players allowed by the regulation at his disposal.

The other decision that Mascherano made before handing over the final list was the call Claudio Echeverrithe jewel of River Plate recently sold to Manchester City, replacing the injured Pedro De la Vega.

“We had the option to choose Ramiro Enrique and Facundo Farías, but We decided on Echeverri because we didn’t have a player with his profile“explained the surprising call to the 18-year-old.

Argentina will debut on Sunday against Paraguay and then face Peru (1/24), Chile (1/30) and Uruguay (2/2).