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FIFA resolves to let Messi go for Beijing Olympics
Xinhua
Updated: 2008-07-31 09:27
BUENOS AIRES -- Argentine U23 soccer coach Sergio Batista celebrated Wednesday the FIFA's resolution that ordered the Barcelona club from Spain to grant Lionel Messi.
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi puts on his boots during a soccer training session in Miniestadi stadium, 15 July 2008. [Agencies]
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"Luckily the issue was solved to our favor after so many coming and going," Batista, who was expecting the decision, said.
The FIFA ordered Wednesday that the players under 23 years be given by their respective clubs for the Olympic competitions.
However, the Barcelona club said it will appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sports (TAS) because the club wants Messi to play in the Champion's League.
Messi will travel Thursday to Italy bound to Beijing to join his compatriots who will play against Cote d'Ivoire on August 7 to defend the gold won in Athens 2004.
"I want Messi to play more the middle, not so close to the line as he does in Barcelona. I want him to generate soccer, in front of (Juan Ramon) Riquelme and behind (Sergio) Aguero," Batista told "La Red" local radio station.
