Javier Mascherano reveals players getting robbed during Paris 2024 Olympics training

The men's Olympic football tournament began on Wednesday, and Argentina's coach Javier Mascherano called the proceedings that followed his team's 2-1 loss to Morocco a "disgrace" and "a circus."

Cristian Medina's goal during the 16th minute of extra time in the Group B encounter in Saint-Etienne gave Argentina hope that they could salvage a 2-2 draw. However, there was unrest from the audience, and the players had to be removed from the field before Swedish official Glenn Nyberg blew for full time. The official IOC page stated that the match had ended, although the result remained a mystery for some time.

However, the teams did not resurface for another two hours, and they played for an additional three minutes inside a stadium that was by this point devoid of fans. The former FC Barcelona midfielder said, “I have not been a coach for long, but never in my career as a player have I seen a situation like that,” said Mascherano, who was in the Argentina teams that won the gold medal in 2004 and 2008.

The former Liverpool midfielder added, “It is a circus. But that is how it is. We cannot control it. I told the boys that now we need to look forward, try to get the six points that will allow us to qualify and that all this should fill us with energy and anger for what we have ahead of us.”

“Thiago Almada was missing a watch, rings, and everything” : Javier Mascherano

Manager Javier Mascherano told reporters that during a practice session prior to their first game, robbers targeted the personal possessions of Argentina's Olympic soccer players. He said, "Yesterday they entered our training and robbed us. Thiago Almada was missing a watch, rings, and everything at training at the Olympics. We didn't want to say anything after training."

Argentina skipper Nicholas Otamendi also took to Instagram to show his frustration. He said, "Thank you all for the support and messages. We come to compete as we always did, wherever the place is, as a local or visitor. But what happened today makes you angry and helpless. That this type of event happens in an event as important as the Olympic Games where an Olympic medal is in dispute. For our part, it is time to look forward and think about Saturday. More united than ever. Let's go Argentina."