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?
August 2008- Argentina #19, Ezequiel "El Pocho" Lavezzi and Serb goalkeeper Stojkovic in Argentina 2-0 Serbia. Photo: Associated Press
August 2008- Fernado Gago and Serb Simljanic in Argentina 2-0 Serbia. Photo: EFE
August 2008- Argentina coach, Sergio "Checho" Batista in Argentina 2-0 Serbia. Photo: EFE
August 2008- The substitutes bench including Riquelme and Leo Messi in Argentina 2-0 Serbia. Photo: EFE
August 2008- Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta and Serb Kilarov in Argentina 2-0 Serbia. Photo: EFE
August 2008- Argetina #19, Ezequiel "El Pocho" Lavezzi scoring from the penalty spot in Argentina 2-0 Serbia. Photo: EFE
