Messi joins Argentinean Olympic squad in Shanghai

(BEIJING, August 3) -- Argentina's star Football player Lionel Messi was finally released by his club team, FC Barcelona, to join his nation's Football team for the Beijing 2008 Football tournament. The 21-year-old forward arrived on August 2 in Shanghai, where the whole team is undergoing pre-Olympic training.

Argentina will face Cote D'Ivoire in its opening match in Shanghai on August 7. Also in group A are teams from Australia and Serbia.

Messi in training (Photo credit: Xinhua)