Messi Wants To Go To The Olmypics - Dad Claims
Lionel Messi's father has revealed that his son wants to play in the Olympic Games for Argentina next month, but can only go if Barcelona allow him to.
The case has become headline news in the Catalan sports dailies with the Blaugrana taking on FIFA as they bid to hold on to the forward for the Champions League qualifiers in August.
While the Spanish Football League (LFP) and the European Clubs Association (ECA) have backed Barça's claim that it is not obligatory to let players go, FIFA have claimed it is.
Messi is stuck in the middle and is waiting to find out if he will travel to the United States with Barça or be able to fulfil his desire of playing for his country.
"It is indisputable and non-negotiable that he wants to play, but it is not Leo's decision , but Joseph Blatter," Jorge Messi told Argentinina station, Radio del Plata.
"They are still negotiating and there is a certain inflexibility on Barça's part to let him go."
Werder Bremen refused to let Diego go to the tournament too, but the midfielder has opted to take matters into his own hands and defy his club, but Messi will not be following suit.
"I do not think that this is the way to go," Jorge added.
Because the Olympic Games is not on FIFA's list of official fixtures, Barça claim that they are not obliged to release any of their players who are under 23.
But while they have been supported by several institutions, the club has now received a letter from FIFA telling them that they must let Messi go or face a penalty.
მიმაგრებული სურათი
· 
ARGENTINA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, Asociación del Fútbol Argentino ფან-კლუბი
