Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi affirmed Monday that his club El Barcelona of Spain has authorized him to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing with the defending champions.

"I've talked with El Barcelona and if I have the opportunity to be at the Olympic Games there won't be any inconvenient for them," said Messi, while German giants Bayner Munich turned down Martin Demichelis' bid for the Games.

"I'm fine and willing to travel to Argentina and work with the selection, to be in all the games and with the possibility of going to the Olympic Games," Messi said.

There're versions that the England Premier League runners-up Chelsea has interests in the Argentine talent.

"I'm fine in El Barcelona, but it is a honor that such an important club has noticed me," he commented.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)