Messi Scores One and Makes One in Opening Olympic Game

Doesn’t matter what Barcelona wants or what the Court of Arbitration for Sport says. Leo Messi played for Argentina against Cote d’Ivoire in the 2008 Olympics this morning and scored the opening goal (above).

Cote d’Ivoire equalized through Cisse, but in the 86th minute Messi (again) burst down the left and squared for Lautaro Acosta to score the winner.

Who knows if Barcelona will try and call Messi back for the Champions League Third Qualifying Round game next week now? But the little man has already made his mark on the 2008 Olympics.

UPDATE: Barcelona have struck a deal with the Argentinian Football Association to allow Messi to play in the Olympics:
1) If Messi get injured in China, the AFA will cover his salary and
2) Messi won’t be called up for any Argentina friendlies this season.

Here’s what Barcelona Sports Director Txiki Begiristain had to say:

“We took the decision last night before we flew back from New York to Barcelona after hearing the decision from CAS. Messi will play the Olympics.
“We spoke to the player first of all and with our coach Pep Guardiola.
“We have an agreement that there is an insurance that will cover the whole of the player’s salary if he is injured.
“We also have the word of the Argentina Football Association president that he will be released from having to play friendlies for the whole of the season.
“We wanted the player to be happy and he is.”

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