Emi Martinez is keen to represent Argentina in the summer Olympics in Paris, where he hopes to win a gold medal, but Aston Villa has prevented Javier Mascherano from selecting the goalie for his team thus far.
Martinez says he’s prepared to “fight” the club’s position in order to keep his spot on Argentina’s men’s Olympic football team, one of only three overage players permitted. Teams are limited to under-23 players (those born on or after January 1, 2001), with an additional three players over that age allowed at most. Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Julian Alvarez are presumably Mascherano’s choices for those spots.
Mascherano announced his 23-man roster for the practice matches; however, the players who are overage have not yet been named. Martinez thinks there’s still a slim possibility he might play in the Olympics, even though the men’s football competition begins just ten days after the Copa America championship.
Martinez would have a week before the start of the new Premier League season if Argentina made it to the final in Paris. Additionally, Villa has prevented France from selecting Lucas Digne and Moussa Diaby to compete at the Olympics.
“I’ve had the possibility to speak with Marche (Mascherano), it is a wish that I want to play, but it doesn’t obviously just depend on myself,” Martinez stated to TyC Sports. “I want to play in the Copa America and have a little bit more strength at the end to make a decision, but the club has prevented me from going a lot in the past.
“I know that I still have a few things to work out with the club, but winning an Olympic medal is something I’ve always wanted to do. A player’s ability to play in the Olympics is not required by the club; as far as I’m aware, my club has prohibited all players from leaving.
“[It’s] a small chance, but I always prioritize the national team. If I have to fight a little longer with the club, I will, but the Copa America comes first,” he went on.
“We are focused on winning the Copa America, therefore it is really hard for us to fight with the club right now. Next are the Olympics, where I personally hope to take home the trophy.
Martinez had told Ole earlier in the year how proud he would be to represent his country at the Olympics this summer.
“As many players have said, if Javier is available and wants us, we are available,” he stated. “It goes without saying that the national team is superior to the clubs, and we always have the authority to assert this if the clubs grant us permission to do so. It is also a source of pride for us. I’d like to go. Many of the guys are eager to go.”
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