Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has risked the wrath of Cristian Romero after indicating the club could block the centre-back from playing at the 2024 Olympics.
Romero, 25, told Argentina Under-23s boss Javier Mascherano he would be available to play in Paris if called upon. Each competing nation is allowed to include three players over the age of 23 in their squad, with Mascherano himself one of those used in an overage slot in 2008.
The issue for Argentina, and for their rivals, is that the tournament falls outside the official FIFA window for international games. This means clubs are not required to release their players, though many do, with Alexis Mac Allister – then at Brighton – part of the Albiceleste squad for the Tokyo games.
Kylian Mbappe is in danger of angering new club Real Madrid with his desire to play in his home Olympic Games. And the French forward isn’t the only one, with Postecoglou making clear his position following Romero’s plea.
“I would like to be in the Olympic Games,” Romero told TyC Sports (via talkSPORT). “I never had the chance to be there. Anything for the national team, obviously I would like to be there. If Mascherano wants to take me, I am available.”
Postecoglou, however, has indicated the Olympics is “a little bit of a different issue” compared to the upcoming Copa America. Romero was part of the Argentina squad for the March international break, and is in contention for a spot in the continental competition in June.
“Certainly from our behalf as a club, we’ll always be looking at making sure there is a balance there,” the manager said. “He hasn’t spoken to me about it, no one has spoken to me about it but I guess pretty strong advice would be with the Copa America at the same time and hopefully us gearing up for a big season next year, I’d be suggesting rest is a better policy.”
While a final decision is yet to be made on Romero, questions also remain when it comes to hosts France. Thierry Henry will take charge of the squad, having recently been appointed as Under-21 boss, but faces a wait to learn whether the likes of Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann will be available to him as overage players.
“I have always had the same ambition,” Mbappe said of his plans. “I have always said that I wanted to go [to the Olympics] but it doesn’t depend on me.
“I can’t say anything because no one has told me anything. If I can’t do the Olympics so be it … When I say no one has told me anything, I am talking about PSG. I am under contract with PSG and they haven’t said anything [about the Olympics]. We haven’t discussed it,”
In addition to Mbappe’s eligibility as an overage player, 21-year-old Eduardo Camavinga could be eligible for one of the under-23 slots. However, according to ESPN, Real Madrid have told the French Football Federation they will not be releasing any of their players for the games.
