"I hope Messi plays in the Paris Olympics"

Newell's Old Boys player Ever Banega, who will face Inter Miami in a friendly on Thursday, said on Wednesday that it would be "very nice" if Lionel Messi played in the 2024 Paris Olympics with the Argentina national team.

"Hopefully now he will enjoy what is coming and there will be time for the Olympics. But well, whenever Leo is in the national team the flag is always flying high. I don't know what he will do, but it would be great if he could accompany all those guys who qualified, especially knowing that he already knows what the Olympic Games are like and has won them," he said at a press conference in Miami (USA).

"I hope he makes the best decision, but it would be nice to see him back in the Olympics with the national team," added the midfielder, who won gold with Messi at Beijing 2008. 

Inter Miami, who kick off their MLS season next week, will close their pre-season on Thursday with a friendly against Newell's Old Boys at DRV PNK Stadium from 7.30pm (00.30am GMT Friday).

The match will be particularly special for Martino, a Newell's Old Boys icon as a coach and player, and for Messi, who played for the Argentinian side as a boy before moving to Barcelona.

"It's a privilege to be able to play in a match like this, in a very nice event for everyone, especially for the youngsters," said Banega, who, despite it being a friendly, said they will try to approach the game "with the utmost seriousness". "Even though it's a nice show, we're here to try to do things right," he said.

 

February 14, 2024

The midfielder recalled that he played "countless games" against Messi in Spain and acknowledged, with a smile, that he enjoyed those head-to-heads despite the fact that the Barcelona legend fared better in terms of results.

"You suffer, but you also enjoy it," he joked. "That (Messi) is the greatest ambassador for the people of Newell's for us is a privilege and that's why we enjoy every step he takes," he said.

For his part, coach Mauricio Larriera also said he was proud to be part of this "event, more than a football match" and acknowledged that he is "sentimental by nature" on occasions like this.

"I think it is an international event, it puts Rosario in the world, particularly Newell's (...). This is an event to enjoy," he said. 

"I am an outsider at the club (...). But to have a footballer who has made such a mark on the world, with his genius, I imagine that for all the 'leproso people' it is a tremendous source of pride".

Finally, the Uruguayan coach assured that they have not discussed the possibility of Messi wearing the Newell's shirt for a few minutes in Thursday's friendly.