Friday, July 25 2008 -- The club versus country row has flared up its ugly head once more. The world's best young player Lionel Messi is now at the centre of this latest episode between FIFA and Europe's biggest clubs.

FC Barcelona have made it clear that they wouldn't at all release the 21-year old Argentine international to feature for his nation at the Olympics next month but as per FIFA rules they must. FIFA rules imply that Messi, being less than 23 years of age, is obliged to play in the Olympics should Argentine so want.

Argentina do want Messi to be part of the squad and the player himself wants to play at the Olympics for his nation. So much so that the player's father, Jorge Messi, has reiterated his son's desire to represent his nation to El Mundo Deportivo:

"I told the club two months ago about Leo's intentions and the club knew he wanted to attend the Games.

"Leo was really keen to go because wearing the blue and white is a wonderful thing. The club told me that of course he could go to the Games."

He added: "What happened is that this Champions League qualifier came up and the club is now doing what any club in the world would do.

"If Fifa regulations say he should go then he should go, if Fifa says he should stay then he should stay."

Barcelona's sporting director Txiki Begiristain though is quite stubborn in his opinion that the club wouldn't release the player as they have UEFA Champions League qualifiers to think of:

"The Fifa circular doesn't oblige us to do anything.

"There is no talk in it about sanctions or punishment for the club, only about the Olympic spirit. But there is nothing else new in it, so it is our understanding that everything else remains the same."

He added: "We understand the importance of the Games but Fifa and the AFA (Argentine Football Association) need to understand the importance of the Champions League."