Lionel Messi - Gold Medalist!

[lionel]

Messi's Serie A Ambitions Revealed

Barcelona star Lionel Messi's father and agent revealed that his son wants to play in Serie A at some point in his career.

For years now, Barcelona starlet Lionel Messi has been considered an unreachable target for any major club. The 21-year-old is seen as a symbol of the club, and there is little reason to believe they will let go of the player in the foreseeable future.

However, the player's agent and father Jorge Messi made some declarations which suggest his son will not stay at Barça forever, and that Serie A is a league he wants to play in at some point in his career.

"For the moment we are thinking of Barcelona, which is like a second home for Leo, and he wants to redeem himself after last season where he was plagued by injuries," said Mr. Messi.

"But it's also true that playing in Serie A is a dream for many players, including my son.

"And since no one knows what the future might hold, let's say it's possible that this desire may be realised sooner or later."

Asked about a possible approach by Inter, whose president Massimo Moratti is known to be a huge admirer of the player, Messi's father said: "Let's say there hasn't been any serious contact. But, I repeat, things might change in the future."

Goal.com - Barcelona - Messi's Serie A Ambitions Revealed

I think he will stay in barcelona for at least 3 more years and then he might go for one or 2 seasons to seria A, and then come back to barcelona to finish like a legend, and then maybe comeback home to argentina for making a hype and retiring...

when he goes he should prove to the world that he is the best wherever...

but nobody knows the future yet.

[lionel]

Messi was included in Argentina's final olympic team squad that was published by the AFA. which means he will play in the olympic games.

BUT, barcelona hasn't agreed to release him yet... and the media in Argentina were shocked to know that Messi travelled with barca to scottland yesterday, for taking part in the pre-season games of the team which will mean that he won't be with the team that is supposed to start training together in the next few days.

[lionel]

Diego Maradona's opinion about this matter is that Messi should not care about barcelona or argentina and take a decision by himself and if he feels he wants to go then he should go. he says messi should stop being good to all sides and instead "show a bit more character" and that it is an opportunity for messi to "mature and become a man". because maradona thinks he is too important and holy for barcelona so they will forgive and accept.
Maradona also said that if it were him he'll be at the olympics.

on another issue, Messi scored a hattrick today in barcelona's match against dundee united, 3 fantastic goals that I will post later... totally cracking goals.

here is the goal of messi against hibernian on thursday:

TalkSoccer Media Player

[Dellas]

Not sure if he has gone but he should. According to the news Blatter made a rule now that says players under the age of 23 have to go to the Olympics if called up, basically the club cannot stop the player leaving.

Barca's bid looks set to fail, though, with Fifa rules stating that players under the age of 23 must be released by their clubs to represent their countries at the Olympic Games.

source: Sky Sports | Football | Internationals | Argentina | Barca wait on Messi decision

[lionel]

^ I think that law makes sense.

Tomorrow we will know what will happen with messi... in the morning I hope

the amazing hattrick!!

TalkSoccer Media Player

[lionel]

FIFA postponed the decision untill tomorrow, claiming that the discussion did not finish at the supposed time...

while el coco basile says he want messi with the team by Friday. and if it doesn't happen, he will call diego bounanotte instead of messi.

this came after laporta suggested a deal at which messi plays the first leg of the CL qualifier with barcelona and if the result is good, he goes to the olympics to participate in the vital matches of argentina...

Laporta's idea makes no sense to me. but I feel basile is not giving enough importance to messi's presence in beijin... hopefully, FIFA make a final decision tomorrow and the case gets closed.

[Dellas]

Personally I would let Messi go to the Olympics, as Barca should have enough skill to take on any team they get in the qualifiers...if he doesn't it could screw his chances up in the future, even if he is the best player in the world. I know technically it isn't his fault and that he is caught in the middle but like Maradonna said he has to choose. It is club vs. country interesting to see who will win.

[Dragoen]

Blatter is a pussy who wants to suck Rogges cock. I wouldn't give a shit about Fifas decision and rather wait on the CAS desicion to settle this.

[Dellas]

Well tbf I think Barca are being petty about this. Messi should be allowed to go to the Olympics and play for Argentina, there is no need to create all this havoc about a CL game or 2. They have enough skill to take on pretty much anyone that they draw...plus I doubt they can get anyone properly tough.

[Dellas]

Barca win ruling over Messi case

Barcelona have won their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) to keep Argentina's Lionel Messi out of the Olympic football tournament.

Cas ruled that the 21-year-old, as well as Werder Bremen's Diego and Rafinha of Schalke, can be prevented from taking part in the Beijing Games.

The Barca forward was keen to take part but the clubs argued the Olympics was not part of the international calendar.

Fifa said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the decision.

Cas found that Fifa's position was based on custom rather than law, meaning clubs could not be forced to release their players.

The court ruled there was "no specific decision of the Fifa executive committee establishing the obligation for the clubs to release players under 23 for this tournament".

A statement added: "Cas calls upon the goodwill and the good sense of Fifa and the clubs to find a reasonable solution with regard to players who wish to represent their country in the Olympic Games."

Messi is already in Beijing with the Argentina squad, who play the Ivory Coast on Thursday when the men's football tournament gets under way.

In response to the decision by Cas, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "Fifa is surprised and disappointed by this decision, but we respect it.

"Nevertheless, I appeal to the clubs. Let your players take part in the Olympic Games. It would be an act of solidarity in perfect harmony with the Olympic spirit.

"It would be wonderful for the players, for the fans and for the game itself.

"I regret that the Cas has not taken the Olympic spirit into consideration."

Blatter has already said Fifa will conduct a review of Olympic football regulations to ensure the London Games in 2012 are not hit by more club-versus-country rows.

Fifa ruled on 30 July that clubs must release players aged 23 or under for the Olympics if a nation requests them.

The world governing body had said: "The judge determined that the international match calendar is not of relevance in establishing whether clubs are obliged to release players for the men's Olympic football tournament.

"Taking part in the Olympic Games is a unique opportunity for all athletes of any sporting discipline.

"It would not be justifiable to prevent any player younger than 23 from participating in such an event if his representative team had qualified." I appeal to the clubs. Let your players take part in the Olympic Games

Sepp Blatter

But Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke reacted by lodging their appeal against Fifa's ruling.

Barca want Messi for the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie on 12 August.

AC Milan prevented Brazil from picking their star player Kaka in the Olympics, although the Italian club's new signing Ronaldinho as well as Manchester United's Anderson were both included in Brazil's 18-man Olympic squad.

Real Madrid have asked Brazil to release Robinho from Olympic duty because of a suspected groin injury.

The 24-year-old has more than 50 Brazil caps and is a reported target for Chelsea.

source: BBC SPORT | Olympics | Football | Barca win ruling over Messi case

Well I think this is disgraceful, Barca don't need him, he is under 23 so he should go and play for Argentina, not only do I have a a bet on them winning , a player doesn't get this chance often so why not take advantage of it. Blatter should put his foot down but he is too much of weakling to do anything.

[lionel]

Barcelona won the battle against the AFA but allowed Messi to stay in beijin and play for Argentina!

it seems that it was Guardiola's decision to let him go, because guardiola knows how important it is for the player because he himself had won the olympic medal once with spain...

I am glad it ended up positively, with both sides happy.

[lionel]

Maradona: "Watcing Messi is Better than Having Sex"[/b]

Maradona was very very excited after the great victory over brasil in the olympic games...
also by Maradona:

"Messi made the ball look so small that it appeared he was playing saloon football!"

"He is the closest to me, he has time to become the new Maradona. I hope he becomes greater than me."

"...for the way he faces the defenders. he doesn't look anyone in the face but he battles them like a freak. yes, it is clear that he is one of my favourites!"

Maradona: “Ver a Messi es mejor que echar un polvo” | SPORT | Barça

[lionel]

Messi is now a Gold Medalist!

and he will probably win the award for player of the tournament after his great performances, including this assist in the final that reminds me of maradona...

Messi's assist to Di Maria in the Olympic final:نيجيريا - الأرجنتين (بيكين 2008 - النهائي): الهد� الأول للأرجنتين - دي ماريا 58‘ رياضة رياضة

Maradona's assist to Burruchaga in the WC final: YouTube - Argentina vs. Germany - Mexico 86 (Burruchaga's goal)