Olympic soccer defending champions Argentina reached Shanghai on Thursday without super star Lionel Messi, who had just got the release to join the Albiceleste after FIFA single judge ruled that it's mandatory for all clubs to release players under 23 for Olympic Games.

Barcelona have been brawling with the Argentine Football Association(AFA) in the past ten days to keep Messi with the Catalans and have him play in their European Champions League qualifiers next month.

But Slim Aloulou, the single judge chosen by FIFA, confirmed on Wednesday that every club has the duty to release players under 23 to attend the Olympics.

21-year-old Messi is flying to Shanghai from Italy to join the team, and the tournament favorites will finally complete the 18-men squad.

"We are all angry about Barca's attitude, but finally Messi will be here," Raul Lamas, one of Argentine medical staff told Xinhua.

"The players are in good physical condition. There's no injury within the team. I think there's no problem regarding to their fitness."

Messi's matter has attracted special attention from FIFA, with Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 questioning whether they should release Messi, Cunha Diego and Rafinha to Beijing, FIFA called a single judge to make the rule.

Messi was cautious with his words after the judge gave him greenlights. He said, "I have always said I want to play for the national team and I want to thank the club for the way they have been with me."

But Messi's fate will likely to undergo another stern test, as Barcelona president Joan Laporta might take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"If FIFA says I should be there then I'll go without waiting for the CAS ruling," said Messi before the single judge's ruling. "If CAS says that I have to return then I'll come back but for the moment I want to be with my country and my teammates."

Argentina starts their defending campaign on August 7 with Cote d' Ivoire in Shanghai. Their other rivals in Group A are Serbia and Australia.

Argentina edged Japan 1-0 in a warm-up game on Tuesday before flying to Shanghai.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2008)