Barcelona are fighting to keep their Argentinian star Lionel Messi out of the Olympics, despite a statement from FIFA boss Sepp Blatter that all clubs were obliged to release their under 23 players.
Messi has expressed his desire to help Argentina defend their Olympic title, but Barcelona insist the world class youngster should stay at the club to partake in early Champions League fixtures.
The Champions League preliminary round takes place on August 12-13, while the Olympic soccer final will be held on August 23. The tournament starts on August 6.
Blatter released a statement yesterday stating that "making available players under the age of 23 for the Olympic Games has always been obligatory for all clubs.
"The fact that the Olympic football tournament in Beijing 2008 does not figure officially on the international match calendar does not mean there is no obligation for clubs [to release players for the tournament]," Blatter said.
Argentina are in Australia’s qualifying group for the Olympic tournament.
Each team must field a squad of under-23 players, with three overage players allowed in each national squad.
Messi, 21, is considered one of the top three players on the planet, along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Kaka.
