Barca - Messi can stay

Argentina ace to remain at Olympic Games

Last updated: 7th August 2008

Messi

Messi: Staying with Argentina

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Barcelona have announced that Lionel Messi will be allowed to remain with the Argentina squad for the Olympic Games.

Messi was selected to represent his country in Beijing, but after he joined up with the squad in China the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that clubs did not have to release players because the Olympics was not part of the official Fifa calendar.

Now Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain and coach Pep Guardiola have confirmed they would not be recalling one of their star men after the player expressed his desire to remain at the Games during talks with the club late on Wednesday night.

Guardiola told a Camp Nou press conference: "It's the best decision as, although with Leo we're a better side, these are exceptional circumstances.

"He's happy there and is satisfied and there's no need to take this any further."

Happy

Begiristain added: "We want the player to be happy and his happiness is there for all to see."

The sporting director also confirmed earlier reports that the Catalan club have allowed their player to stay in China after striking a deal with the Argentina Football Association (AFA).

The AFA will now pay for a large insurance policy which would see the Camp Nou outfit receive a large pay-out should Messi be injured at any point during the Games.

The 21-year-old will also be exempt from certain friendly matches involving Argentina, allowing him to remain in Spain with the Barcelona squad.

The agreement is similar to that which German clubs Werder Bremen and Schalke both demanded of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) after allowing their players Diego and Rafinha to remain at the Games.