‘Leo has an open door to the national team to do whatever he wishes—that’s the reality,’ Mascherano said, via Marca.

‘If we end up qualifying [for the Olympics] and he wants to go, he will be welcome. My relationship with him is that of a great friendship and I would love it.’

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach would also love to see Messi in Paris.

Lionel Messi could make a sensational return to Olympic soccer under Javier Mascherano

Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez of Barcelona celebrate after the 2015 Champions League Final vs. Juventus

Messi and Nigerian forward Victor Obinna (R) fight for the ball in the 2008 Olympics

‘It would be fantastic if he could be here,’ Bach said. ‘For Lionel Messi, it would mean a chance to write history once again. He could be the only player in history to have two gold medals and a World Cup.’

‘It would be fantastic if he could be here,’ Bach said. ‘For Lionel Messi, it would mean a chance to write history once again. He could be the only player in history to have two gold medals and a World Cup.’

Messi’s age, 36, wouldn’t be prohibitive as the Olympics allow three players over the age of 23 on each team.

However, the forward is expected to take part in the Copa America earlier in the summer – meaning he’d be playing two international tournaments in a row in the middle of MLS’ season.

Messi, who won a gold medal with Argentina in 2008, has previously shown a strong affinity for the Olympics.

As written by Mail Sport in 2020, Messi faced a huge battle that year to convince Barcelona to release him for the tournament.

In fact, he later admitted to moping around during preseason training when he didn’t think he would be able to go, as club president Joan Laporta didn’t want him to.

He was eventually granted permission by Pep Guardiola, and arrived back in Barcelona with a gold medal and motivated for the season ahead