Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez says he is ready to "fight" with his English club Aston Villa to go to Paris 2024 and try to win the third gold medal in Argentina's history with the national team, which would put them at the top of the Olympic football table (if they win, they will equal the three gold medals won by Great Britain and Hungary, but if they win more silver medals, Argentina will top the table).

It is well known that, according to FIFA regulations, clubs are only obliged to release players during FIFA dates (qualifiers, Euros, Copa America, FIFA friendly windows, etc.).

As clubs are not obliged to release players for the Olympic Football Tournament, which will be held in France between 24 July and 9 August, many stars will not take part, even if they are eligible on the basis of their age (of the 18 players taking part, three can be over 23).

Such is the case of Enzo Fernandez, who will not be taking up an over-age slot despite being the central midfielder for Lionel Scaloni's senior side. In fact, the former River man has earned a starting spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which Argentina won.

However, the Chelsea midfielder will not be able to attend the matches as his club will not release him (he is recovering from an injury and Chelsea will have a new manager), despite his request and his age. 

The Premier League starts on 17 August and the Olympic final is on 9 August, leaving very few days to get up to speed and meet the new coach, a criterion not applied to other players in the squad, according to the English team.

That may not be the case for Argentina's star goalkeeper, who saved penalties in the final against France and in the quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez, 31, is hoping to be one of the three over-23 players selected by coach Javier Mascherano. "I always put Argentina first and if I have to fight with my club, I will," Martínez told Argentine television station TycSports.

"The most important thing for me is the Copa America and then the Olympics. My dream is to win the gold medal," said the Mar del Plata native, who led Aston Villa to Champions League qualification for the first time in 41 years.

"I want to play in the Olympics, but it's not up to me alone," added 'Dibu', as he is affectionately known in Argentina because of his resemblance to a children's TV character.

Julian Alvarez, another Premier League player from Manchester City, is in the same situation as 'Dibu', although the Argentine media confirm that City will allow him to play in Paris "without the need for fights".

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (37 on 24 June) also has the chance to join Argentina in their quest for a second Olympic gold. He is the only player to have been publicly called up (months ago) by his former Beijing 2008 team-mate (they won gold together, the former Barcelona man being over-age).

In this case, it will be up to the Santa Fe Province native to decide, as his contract and personal relationship with Florida (USA) team CEO David Beckham are optimal and he would be allowed to go, although Argentine coach Gerardo Martino said he would not recommend Messi playing in both the Copa America and the Paris Games.

The Argentine star's physical condition and desire will prevail over any recommendations he may receive. Although it won't be easy, Argentina are still hopeful that the Rosario-born player will say yes, and will wait until the last moment for his final decision to complete the final list that will compete in Paris from 24 July (debut against Morocco at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne).