Since the process of the Argentina Under 23 team In preparation for the Pre-Olympic, Javier Mascherano He called different central midfielders. He tried with Federico Redondo, Ezequiel Fernández, Juan Nardoni, Juan Sforza and Santiago Hezze, among others.
In the last calls a new name appeared that generated excitement among the fans: Alan Varelaa footballer with a long history in Argentine football with Boca and taking his first good steps in Europe, standing out in Porto. He was part of Mascherano’s team in the last friendly matches against Paraguay (4-0 and 2-0) and everything seemed to indicate that the coach would count on him for the Olympic Games.
However, this Monday it was learned that the Porto finally decided not to give in Varela for the competition, knowing that it is not mandatory for the clubs to do so, so it will be another of the casualties of Mascherano in the assembly of the team. The information was confirmed by journalist Esteban Edul on ESPN.
In this way, now Mascherano must work on alternatives for the Argentine national team. He knows that the only variables already confirmed are those of Nardoni and Equi Fernández, taking into account that they are footballers from the local environment, whose clubs have already arranged the transfer of their footballers for the competition.
Regarding the rest, Redondo would have the OK from Inter Miami but the footballer was injured again in the match against St. Louis City in the MLS and arrives with doubts from the physical aspect. Hezze is a key player in the Olympiacos that won the Conference League and his loan seems difficult. Sforza currently plays for Vasco da Gama and it is unknown if he can be taken into account by Mascherano for the Olympic Games.
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