Messi: Could be recalled

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta is to make a decision on whether to recall Argentina star Lionel Messi from the Olympics.

Barca were never happy that Messi was taken to Beijing for the Olympics Games by his country.

The Spanish giants were one of a number of clubs to protest and take their cast to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who ruled in their favour on Wednesday.

In theory Messi, along with all European-based players, can now be recalled.

Both Werder Bremen and Schalke have since allowed their players Diego and Rafinha to stay in China, despite taking the case to the courts.

Now Barca are set to make a decision on Messi, who is due to line-up for Argentina in their opening game against Ivory Coast on Thursday.

Satisfied

"We are really satisfied with the resolution of the tribunal as they have accepted the position of Barcelona," Laporta told Sky Sports News.

"We had the right to decide whether to release the player to the Argentine national team, we have now set a precedent which is very important to the football clubs.

"We now have to evaluate the satiation to see what is best for Barcelona and the player and we have to think what is best for Argentina and we will soon make a decision."

Argentina coach Sergio Batista has already said that he will not be sending Messi back to Spain before the end of the tournament in Bejing.