Messi waits on Olympics decision

Barca ace forced to wait on Olympic dreams

By James Pearson   Last updated: 21st July 2008

Messi waits on Olympics decision

Messi: Olympic dreams

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Argentina's Lionel Messi is still anxiously awaiting Fifa's decision on whether he will be allowed to represent his country at the Beijing Olympics.

The 21-year-old dynamo is keen to feature in the tournament which lasts from 6th to 23rd August, however Barcelona are reluctant to lose one of their star players.

With preliminary UEFA Champions League fixtures on the horizon the Catalan giants would loathe to lose the Argentine wizard for the start of the new season.

Barca have written to the world football governing body to discover if they are obliged to allow Messi to take part in the Olympics.

"We expect that Fifa will issue a statement saying that we are right," Barcelona coach Pepe Guardiola said last week.

Messi travelled with the Barcelona to the club's pre-season training camp in Saint Andrews, Scotland, ahead of friendlies against Hibernian and Dundee United.