Is Leo Messi Going to the Olympics or Not?

July 25th, 2008 | by: Daryl |

Argentina’s defence of their 2004 Olympic soccer gold medal begins in less that two weeks, when they face Cote d’Ivoire at the Shanghai Stadium on August 7th. But they still don’t know whether little Leo Messi will be wearing Olympic albiceleste or not.

The Barcelona genius was definitely called up to the squad, but so far Messi’s club are refusing to release him. Barca’s argument is that Olympic football isn’t part of the international calendar and so clubs aren’t obliged to release players.

Sepp Blatter responded to this now customary club vs country conundrum with the following statement:

“In view of the importance of the men’s Olympic football tournament for the entire sporting movement in general and football in particular, and given the specific nature of the event, as well as on the basis of customary law, the release of players below the age of 23 has always been mandatory for clubs. The same principle shall apply for Beijing 2008.

It would appear to be against the spirit of the Olympic regulations to hinder players under the age of 23, who are actually the core of the squads participating in the men’s Olympic football tournament, to take part in the final phase of the event.”

All well and good Sepp, but I don’t think appealing to football team’s “Olympic spirit” is going to cut it. Especially not when there’s Champions League qualifying to be done, as is the case with Barcelona.

Barca’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain had this response for the Seppster:

“The FIFA circular doesn’t oblige us to do anything. There is no talk in it about sanctions or punishment for the club, only about the Olympic spirit. But there is nothing else new in it, so it is our understanding that everything else remains the same.”

“We understand the importance of the Games but FIFA and the AFA (Argentine Football Association) need to understand the importance of the Champions League.

So now we have a bit of a Mexican stand-off, and it’s all about who blinks first. Begiristain’s statement seems to be a direct challenge to Blatter, asking if he’s going to back it up with action. If Sepp really cares about the success of Olympic football (and for the record, he mostly doesn’t) then he’ll be straight to the nearest microphone today and make it clear that refusing to release U-23 players for the Olympics carries a serious punishment.

Otherwise Barca will just keep hold of Messi.

Luckily, one man can always be trusted to weigh in with his not-so-diplomatic opinion, and that man is Diego Armando Maradona. El Diego has basically said that it’s time Leo Messi grew himself some balls and told Barca that he’s going to Beijing and that’s all there is to it. Not the most elegant solution, but it seems to have worked for Brazil’s Rafinha.

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Albo

Daryl, there’s people in the argy blog posting under our nicknames.
I don’t know where Christian is.
Is there anything you can do about it?
A.

I’m starting to despise this Barcelona outfit more and more by the day. If they don’t think they can win the qualifier without Messi they have no business being in the bloody competition.

It’s a simple rule, under 23’s must be released. Just honour it and keep a semblance of integrity in the game but some clubs just have no sense of the wider picture.

And then people still laugh at Blatter’s hyperbole about “modern slavery”.
fab

bye bye international soccer

now all clubs will be cowboys about things
cause they know they can break the rules and nothing will happen
http://cl.theoffside.com Rob

I hope Leo just goes. Its the cool thing to do.
cibele

To my team, it’s good if Messi is not playing, but i feel sad about this whole issue. The Olympics game would be much better with Messi playing.

And Barcelona gets on my nerves every now and then. Let’s not forget about Real Madrid, who knew Robinho was called to play the Olympics and decided to let Brazil know they wouldn’t release him last minute. I mean, they have the “right” not to release the player, but could you at least let the team know? But i’m not upset with Robinho absence, his replacement is quite a good player.

Meanwhile, the relationship between clubs and CBF and AFA gets worst every day.

The funny thing is: they’ll probably watch the tournament to find good players. They hire players in the national teams and later they dont want these players to defend their countries under the argument “we pay their salaries”.
A.

Do you know what the funny thing is. If Messi doesn’t go, I will bet money he will only play a limited time in the CL qualifiers. Barce will play away first leg, he will play first half, they will lead 2-0 in second, he’ll be taken off and rested in the return game.
candy5201830

In my opinion,Barca should release Leo!Olympic only holds once every four years,which makes the medal and experience more valable to players ,while the clubs have those matches every year!What`s more,Olympic is somewhat similar to World Cup except those who take part in it are younger players!!!Messi also can improve himself greatly !!!
kingnari99

the great maradona is right. it should be ultimately up to Messi to go or stay. what will they say to him if he just ups and goes to Beijing? don’t come back? I doubt it. Leo, grow some plums and become a man already.. I will lose all respect for la pulga if he does not stand up to those spanish bastards and lets Barca bitch him around. I have lost all respect for Barcelona and will not cheer for them any more regardless of how much I love Messi. that is that. shit or get off the pot. grow some balls little boy.. grow some balls. FUERZA ARGENTINA!!!!!!