Lionel Messi has chosen to play for Argentina at the Beijing Olympics instead of with FC Barcelona in a Champions League qualifying game. "It is my decision, and the Olympic Games is something which I will never get the chance to play in again," Messi was quoted as saying on the website of Spanish sports daily Marca on Thursday. The forward, who turns 21 next month, said he had yet to speak to Barcelona about the matter, but the team cannot prevent Messi from playing for the defending Olympic champions in the Aug. 8-24 Games. "I believe they will understand what I think, and I don't believe there will be a conflict or any type of problem over this," Messi said. In Argentina's Olympic team, Messi will be reunited with many of the players with which he won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005. Barcelona finished third in the Spanish league this season, meaning the two-time European champions have to play in the Champions League qualifying round in August. The winner secures a berth in the group phase of the tournament. "We don't know who we'll be playing, and Barcelona doesn't just depend on me to win matches. I think people [fans] will understand, too," Messi said.
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