The new loss that Mascherano could suffer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games :: Olé

Less than a month before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Javier Mascherano is already starting to draw up the list of the 18 players that will make up the Argentine National Team. It is worth remembering that it will be made up of 15 Under 23 footballers and three who will not have an age limit. Although, of course, since the clubs are not obliged to give them up because it is not a FIFA competition, There have already been several confirmed casualties. And another one could appear…

It is that Mascherano could suffer the absence of Valentín Barco, the 19-year-old left back who became a fixture in the category and who even participated in the tour prior to the 2024 Copa América with the Senior National Team. But, what happened?

In principle, The negotiation with Brighton to give up the young man who emerged in Boca is very difficult. The club has not yet authorized it, a situation that greatly complicates matters for Mascherano, who intends to give the list next week. (the deadline for submission is Wednesday, July 3).

In fact, Mascherano already had him on the list and even has him as a possible starter (he was in the South American Pre-Olympic tournament in Venezuela), but it depends on a new conversation with Brighton to see if it will be unstuck or not. It’s not completely down, but…

For time, of course, Barco’s situation should be resolved in the next few days, as well as that of the goalkeeper, who was going to be Emiliano Martínez. However, unfortunately for the coach and the goalkeeper of the National Team, that chance will not be given, because as confirmed to Olé, Aston Villa maintains its position of not giving up players to the Olympic Games and has already notified Dibu that it will not be able to be in Paris.

Masche already knows that he will be able to count on two luxury over-23s: Nicolás Otamendi and Julián Álvarez, who were authorized by Benfica and Manchester City. But, in addition to Dibu, the coach of the Under 23s already had to regret that another world champion, but under 23, could not be there because his club did not authorize it: Enzo Fernández said after the game with Chile that first he had Chelsea’s yes and now they said no.

“I did everything I could. Mauricio (Pochettino) was at Chelsea before he gave me the OK, there was a change of coach, the club changed its position. I tried, I kept talking, I did everything I could to be there but it wasn’t possible. I apologize to Masche because I wanted to be there. It didn’t happen, I hope at another time I will be given the opportunity,” Enzo said in the mixed zone after the victory at MetLife in New Jersey.

Another who will not be able to be there will be Alan Varela. Porto’s position in denying the midfielder’s arrival was forceful and Mascherano will not be able to count on the former Boca player among those mentioned. The Little Chief had it fixed: He had started in the two friendlies played this month against Paraguay.

There is already a candidate to replace Varela: Santiago Hezze, Conference League champion with Olympiakos of Greece. Olé’s consultations with the Athens press They confirm that the club will not refuse to give up the former Huracán midfielder.

And there is also a candidate to replace Dibu. At AFA they are working hard to try to get another world champion to occupy the goal: Gerónimo Rulli is the one targeted. The Ajax goalkeeper, who can change clubs in this transfer window, is on the pre-list given by Mascherano to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and is an important alternative. Of course, the club still needs to authorise the 32-year-old goalkeeper to participate in the Games.

The final 18, with four in reserve, would come from this list:

Goalkeepers: Gerónimo Rulli, Leandro Brey and Fabricio Iacovich.

Defenders: Joaquín García, Gonzalo Luján, Nicolás Otamendi, Kevin Lomónaco, Marco Di Césare, Lucas Esquivel and Valentín Barco.

Midfielders: Cristian Medina, Equi Fernandez, Claudio Echeverri, Kevin Zenon, Juan Nardoni, Thiago Almada and Santiago Hezze.

Forwards: Julián Alvarez, Lucas Beltrán, Pablo Solari, Luciano Gondou, Giuliano Simeone and Santiago Castro.