Barcelona is seeking a negotiated settlement that would allow Argentina's Lionel Messi to miss the Olympic Games in Beijing, the Primera Liga club has said.

Argentina's Olympic team coach Sergio Batista said he was confident the 21-year-old winger would be joining them, in line with FIFA regulations that state clubs should release U-23 players for the event.

"We have a case and we will fight for Messi to play the Champions League qualifier because he should be with us. We have let FIFA know this," Barca sports director Txiki Begiristain told the Spanish media.

"We continue insisting but we hope we can reach a settlement that is agreed by all parties," he said.

After finishing third in the Primera Liga last season, Barca has to play a Champions League third qualifying round tie over two legs on August 12/13 and August 26/27 to make the group stage.

It has consistently stated it wants as many of its players as possible available for these fixtures.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta added: "Barca has an Olympic spirit and a Champions League spirit and we don't want to fall out with Argentina Football Association president Julio Grondona. Barca's interests should be obvious and we ask they understand what we are calling for. We hope it is possible to reach a satisfactory conclusion."

Messi, who has returned to Barcelona for pre-season training, has already stated he would like to attend the Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, AC Milan has confirmed that new signing Ronaldinho will be in Beijing for Brazil. His arrival at Milan has led to a huge surge in season ticket sales and hits on the club's official Website www.acmilan.com, which reported that it had received more than 10 times the average daily volume of visitors since news of the 28-year-old's transfer.

On Wednesday, when Ronaldinho arrived in Milan, fans snapped up 5,230 season tickets out of a total of 18,518 sold during the whole of the close-season subscription period.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily July 18, 2008)