Lionel Messi will go the Olympic Games to play for Argentina despite Barcelona's reservations after the club were told by FIFA that they had to release him.
The skilful forward was wanted by the Blaugrana for the Champions League qualifiers in August, but instead he will have an intense month playing international football.
It was a problem that looked set to create a stand-off, but the intervention of the game's governing body ended any discussion and Messi will now travel to China.
Barça gave him permission to have a longer holiday and said he could return on July 19, but he was so keen to return to training under new coach Pep Guardiola that he went back on July 14.
Messi has taken part in the club's first two training sessions and will continue to report for duty until he has to leave to team up with Argentina on July 23.
The problem over whether Ronaldinho plays for Brazil is no longer an issue for the Blaugrana after he signed for AC Milan and it remains to be seen if the Rossoneri let him go.
FIFA were able to step in and tell Barcelona to let Messi go because he is under 23 and clubs can only make a stand if their player is one of the three that countries can call up as overage players.
The skilful forward was wanted by the Blaugrana for the Champions League qualifiers in August, but instead he will have an intense month playing international football.
It was a problem that looked set to create a stand-off, but the intervention of the game's governing body ended any discussion and Messi will now travel to China.
Barça gave him permission to have a longer holiday and said he could return on July 19, but he was so keen to return to training under new coach Pep Guardiola that he went back on July 14.
Messi has taken part in the club's first two training sessions and will continue to report for duty until he has to leave to team up with Argentina on July 23.
The problem over whether Ronaldinho plays for Brazil is no longer an issue for the Blaugrana after he signed for AC Milan and it remains to be seen if the Rossoneri let him go.
FIFA were able to step in and tell Barcelona to let Messi go because he is under 23 and clubs can only make a stand if their player is one of the three that countries can call up as overage players.
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