Messi situation resolved
Barcelona's Argentine starlet Lionel Messi has been granted a Spanish passport.
Barcelona midfielder Lionel Messi has been granted a Spanish passport and should now be cleared to play in the Spanish league.The hugely-talented Argentine, 18, has been at the centre of a wrangle between his club and the Spanish authorities over whether he can turn out for the Catalans as an 'assimilated' player.
Spanish teams are only allowed to field three non-EU players and Barca already have a full complement with Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Rafael Marquez on their books.
Messi joined Barca as a 13-year-old and progressed through the club's youth ranks.
He appeared last season in the league as an 'assimilated' player, but the rules governing such players have been changed this term and there has been confusion as to whether he now qualifies for such status.
As a result he has been kicking his heels on the touchline during domestic games, although he has been able to play in the UEFA Champions League.
However, it now appears his predicament has been resolved and Barca are confident that he will be given the green light to play in next weekend's home clash with Real Zaragoza by the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation).
