By Xiang Bin
China.org.cn Olympics correspondent in Shanghai

Despite the unfavorable verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Lionel Messi will stay with Argentina and take part in the opening match against the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire tomorrow, China.org.cn reports from Shanghai.

Argentina's Head Coach Sergio Batista answers questions from the press. [Xiang Bin/China.org.cn]

The CAS verdict, which came just one day before the men's soccer tournament starts, ruled that FC Barcelona does not need to release Lionel Messi for the 2008 Beijing Olympic soccer tournament.

Argentina and Barcelona were in dispute over Messi because the club wanted him to stay for their vital Champions League qualifying games, while Argentina needed the key player to help defend their Olympic title.

FIFA have responded to this verdict by saying that they are surprised and disappointed, as this decision has in fact overruled FIFA's regulation that clubs must release their under-23 players for the Olympic tournament.

Messi in training [Xiang Bin/China.org.cn]

However, at yesterday's press conference, Argentina's Head Coach Sergio Batista said that Messi would stay with the team and take part in the opening game tomorrow.

"The player himself wants to stay. We will try to negotiate with Barcelona over this issue," he said.

Reigning Champions Argentina will face the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire in their Olympic Soccer opener tomorrow.

(China.org.cn August 7, 2008)