Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has vowed to fight to prevent Lionel Messi from playing in the Beijing Olympics.

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) announced their squad at the beginning of July and included the Barca forward.

However, the Games clash with the dates of the Champions League preliminary round which and Barca insist they will do everything in their power to hold onto their star player.

"We are right and we will fight for Messi to play the preliminary round because he has to be with us," said Begiristain.

"We have to play two games of official nature and so we have made that known to FIFA.

"We will continue insisting but we want to come to a solution that is agreed by all the parties."

Barca's chances of preventing Messi from playing in Beijing appear slim. The 21-year-old has said he wants to represent his country, while FIFA clarified in a statement last week that their rules stipulate players under the age of 23 must be released from their clubs for the Olympics.

But Barca president Joan Laporta has slammed the logic behind the rule.

"Barca have Olympic spirit, but also that of the Champions League," he said. "We don't want to get into any argument with AFA president Julio Grondona.

"He has to understand Barca's interests, for which we also want understanding in what we are asking for.

"We hope the solution will be satisfactory."

Argentina's Olympic coach Sergio Batista insists the winger will be going to Beijing.

"I am sure," he said. "Because I know they have to give him to us and the player will join our group July 23."

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