Messi's Beijing hopes out of his hands - father

Enlarge Photo Barcelona's Lionel Messi laughs during their soccer training session in St Andrews, east Scotland July...

Thu, Jul 24 02:56 PM

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is desperate to play for Argentina at the Beijing Olympics but the decision to attend the Games is out of the player's hands, according to his father.

"I told the club two months ago about Leo's intentions and the club knew he wanted to attend the Games," Jorge Messi was quoted as saying in Barcelona sports daily El Mundo Deportivo on Thursday.

"Leo was really keen to go because wearing the blue and white is a wonderful thing. The club told me that of course he could go to the Games."

However, the player's father said the club had backtracked on their pledge after it became clear they would have to play a qualifier to secure a place in the Champions League group stage.

"What happened is that this Champions League qualifier came up and the club is now doing what any club in the world would do," he said.

The 21-year-old forward is taking part in Barcelona's pre-season training camp in Scotland with the team playing Hibernian in a friendly at Murrayfield on Thursday.

On Wednesday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said clubs must release their eligible Under-23 players for the Olympic soccer tournament despite claims by Europe's leading teams they were under no obligation to do so.

Messi's father said Barcelona should abide by FIFA regulations.

"If FIFA regulations say he should go then he should go, if FIFA says he should stay then he should stay," he said.

Earlier this week, German club Schalke's Brazilian defender Rafinha left pre-season training without permission after the Bundesliga side repeatedly refused to release him for the Games.

On Tuesday, Werder Bremen playmaker Diego defied orders from his club and left Germany to join the Brazil squad, while the Brazilian FA (CBF) criticised Real Madrid's decision to pull Robinho out of the squad on Wednesday, saying the timing of the Spanish club's decision had disrupted their preparations.

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