Brighton & Hove Albion’s Facundo Buonanotte has set his sights on representing Argentina at the Olympic Games in the summer.
Speaking to ESPN’s Generación F, the 19-year-old insisted he wants to make it to Paris if he were to receive a call-up from Argentina U23 manager Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano also manages Argentina U20 side and wanted to include the youngster in the squad for the U20 World Cup last May. However, Brighton refused to let him leave because the season then was still in play.
The Seagulls aren’t compelled to let Buonanotte leave since the Olympics isn’t considered a FIFA event, but if they were to stop him, the player is ready to ‘fight’ with Brighton.
The attacking midfielder arrived at The Amex from Rosario Central in January 2023 and has managed four goals and an assist from 36 games this season.
On Brighton’s decision to stop him representing Argentina at the U20 World Cup, Buonanotte explained, relayed by El Gráfico: “They didn’t let me go to the U20 World Cup.
“I spoke every day with Roberto and the club manager, but there were many injured at that time and I was going to play.”
The Olympics will start on July 26th and if Buonanotte were to represent his country in Paris, he is most likely to miss pre-season with Brighton. Therefore, the Seagulls have a decision to make if the teenager were to receive a call-up from Mascherano.