Lionel Messi
Madrid: Lionel Messi will join Argentina at the Beijing Olympics only if Barcelona are legally required to release the player, the Primera Liga club said on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old forward said last month it would be his decision, if selected, and that he was excited at the prospect of playing at the Olympics even though it meant him missing the first leg of Barca's Champions League third qualifying round tie on August 12/13.
However, Barca's sports director Txiki Begiristain told a news conference: "The regulations will decide. If they protect us he will play the Champions League qualifier, if not, we are obliged to let him go to the Olympics.''
"It isn't the player's decision and we understand the regulations favour us."
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New Barca coach Pep Guardiola, speaking at his official presentation, said: "I hope we will have all our players together from the first day, because the sooner we have everyone together the better."
Barca's stance could also affect Sevilla's Brazil full back Dani Alves who has agreed a move to the Catalan club, though the transfer has not yet been completed.
Neither Argentina nor Brazil have announced their squads for the Olympic tournament which takes place from Aug. 6-23. Players under the age of 23 are allowed to take part, plus three over-age players.
The second legs of the Champions League qualifiers are on Aug. 26 and 27.
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