I was just reading about Barcelona not letting Messi join Argentina's training camp. Messi is still with the club in Scotland! When I read this news, my jaw dropped.
On July 14, 2008, German club, Werder Bremen had made clear that they won't let midfielder Diego join the Brazil team for the Olympics. Diego accepted the decision and that was that.
Today, July 22, 2008, Diego, former FC Porto player, defied the club orders and left Germany to join the Brazil Olympic team in Singapor.
Singapor, July 2008- Werder Bremen's Diego training with the Brazil Olympic team. Photo: record.pt
Klaus Allofs, on the Werder Bremen official website, said that he believes the clubs are not obligated to let players go with their national Olympic teams. Whenever they are more than 23 years old. "It's better for everyone to resolve this situation once and for all, so that it won't happen again."
I'm writing about it because Diego is one of my favorite players in the Brazil team. Brazil might be the other Olympic favorite with Argentina. At this point I think Diego will stay no matter what Werder Bremen says. Diego is not an untouchable in the senior Brazil team. Kaka, Ronaldinho and others are stiff competition.
Dunga didn't use Diego in the starting lineup in the last Copa America. This tournament is his chance to be in the starting lineup.
- So who's side are you on, Diego's on Werder Bremen's? What soccer player doesn't want to go to the Olympics to represent their country?
It's July 24, 2008. Day 4 of the Messi-going-to-the-Olympics- novel. No progress. Now Barcelona captain Carles Puyol said on Thursday on Barcelona's official website that the Argentina was "very important" for Barcelona when they'll disput the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League.
"I hope that it gets solved and that he'll stay with us."
Ay-ay-ay. I don't blame Carles Puyol because he's supposed to say that as Barcelona captain.
However, as a professional player he needs to respect the 15 year old agreement that all players under 23 years old are obligated to go to the Olympics. The club can't prevent them from going. I can't believe how much Barcelona is stalling. Most of all, I can't believe FIFA doesn't get Messi on the airplance immediately. The games start on August 7th.
I'm sure "Leo" Messi will play at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I'm looking forward to the Argentina games in the Olympics. Meanwhile, Messi is still in St. Andrews, Scotland, in Barcelona's pre-season training. On July 21st, Barça arrived for their first training session.
July 21, 2008- Messi at the airport.
Scotland, July 21, 2008- Leo Messi in the Barcelona pre-season, first training session.
July 21, 2008- Leo Messi training with Barcelona.
This thing was solved. FIFA had presented Barca with a rule that overruled the club. Now Barça hit back with their own argument:
Barcelona asked FIFA directly to not let Messi go to the Olympics because they need him for the preliminary rounds of the Champions League.
Barça has the support of the "Liga Espanola de Futbol Professional" LPF, and of the European Association of clubs. These 2 organisms believe that the clubs are not obligated to authorize players to participate in the Olympics because it isn't in the official FIFA calendar.
FIFA has not yet responded.
Monica_Kun's thoughts:
I think Barça is being unfair for trying to overrule FIFA's 15 year agreement.
On July 21st, FIFA had told Barcelona it had not valid grounds/arguments to keep Messi with Barcelona's pre-season in St. Andrews, Scotland. Three days later, Barcelona has not let Messi go and is still in Scotland. Why can't FIFA enforce the 15 year old agreement and get "Leo" Messi on the airplane?
- What do you think of Barça's position for not letting Messi go?
I Here's a picture of me with the 2006 Argentina jersey and bandana.
I know 21 year-old Messi can be very crucial for the team in the Olympics. Today Barcelona had to give him permission to go because of 1 rule.
FC Barcelona didn't want to allow Messi. Reason:
Barcelona has to play the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League in August, 1st leg: August 12, 13, 2nd leg, augst 26 and 27.
Barça also reminded them that the Olympics weren't part of the official calendar of the games stipulated by FIFA and therefore no obligation to let Messi go.
Olympics agreement that overrules what Barcelona wants:
The president of the CIO Jacques Rogge had to remind the club that 15 years ago there was an agreement signed by Samaranch et Havelange (then presidents of CIO and FIFA) stipulating that EVERY player under 23 years aold that isn't allowed to play in the Olympic games can only be used in their club until the end of the tournament [Olympics].
Barcelona -had no other choice- but to let Messi join the Argentina camp in Switzerland.
Where is Messi now?
St. Andrews, Scotland where Barcelona has its pre-season training.
The Argentinean FA, Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA), announced that Messi is in the Argentina national team going to the Beijing Olympics. In the next hours Messi will go to Japan to join the national team and play in the friendly game before the Olympics start.
Here's the official list of the 18 players- Argentina national team:
Goalkeepers: Oscar Ustari (Getafe), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar).
Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Luciano Monzón (Boca Juniors), Federico Fazio (Sevilla) y Nicolás Pareja (Anderlecht).
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), José Sosa (Bayern de Múnich), Ever Banega (Valencia) y Juan Román Riquelme (Boca Juniors).
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Ezequiel Lavezzi (Nápoles), Sergio Aguero (Atlético de Madrid), Angel Di María (Benfica), Lautaro Acosta (Sevilla) y Diego Buonanotte (River Plate). S
My thoughts:
What players are you looking forward to seeing?
Me- Leo Messi of course
Di Maria from Benfica. Lavezzi from Napoli. El "Kun" Aguero and that's it. El "Kun" Aguero pretty much had his place guaranteed in the starting 11. He was the star last summer in the under-20 world cup. Now after the great season Lavezzi had with Napoli, I wonder how much Lavezzi and Di Maria can "push" over his place.
I also want to see which of these players will be a revelation.
Argentina is in Group A and will face:
Ivory Coast- August 7
Australia- August 10
Serbia- August 13
- What do you think of this joint agreement between FIFA and the CIO to let players under 23 years to play at the Olympics. I think it's wonderful. What players do you like from the 18 called up?
Klaus Allofs, on the Werder Bremen official website, said that he believes the clubs are not obligated to let players go with their national Olympic teams. Whenever they are more than 23 years old. "It's better for everyone to resolve this situation once and for all, so that it won't happen again."
- So who's side are you on, Diego's on Werder Bremen's? What soccer player doesn't want to go to the Olympics to represent their country?
