Lionel Messi
In
probably his last appearance in the quadrennial event next month,
Argentine football prodigy Lionel Messi is confident that his team will
be able to defend its Olympic title in Beijing.
The Beijing Olympics only allow footballers under
the age of 23, except for three over-age players for each side.
Messi, 21, and tagged as "new Maradona", says he is looking forward to
represent his country in his last Olympics.
"The
Olympic Games are something I will never be able to play in again and I
am very excited at the prospect," Messi said earlier.
More football news | Olympics coverage
"There
is no doubt that I will be there. I have really high hopes with the
Olympic squad," he said although Barcelona wanted him to play for the
Champions League preliminary.
Messi has emerged as the star
player for Argentina in recent times. In 2005, he became the
then-youngest-scorer for FC Barcelona club in a La Liga game against
Albacete.
The same year in June, Messi led Argentina to
win the Under-20 World Cup and also clinched both Golden Ball and
Golden Boot titles. In 2007, he was second in the list of FIFA World
Player of the year, when he was only 20.
The Olympic tournament starts Aug 6 with the final slated for Aug 23.
| Cricket Scorecards
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