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Messi in Argentina Olympic squad

July 03, 2008 16:52 IST

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero have been included in Argentina's squad for the Beijing Olympics soccer tournament.

Former Barcelona and Villarreal midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, now with Boca Juniors, was also included by the champions as an over-age player.

Messi has already said that he is torn between playing for Argentina and Barcelona in August.

Coach Sergio Batista's 18-man squad named on Wednesday also included Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso, Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.

Argentina face Serbia, Australia and Ivory Coast in their first-round group.

The Olympic soccer tournament is limited to under-23 teams, with three over-age players allowed per side.

Goalkeepers: Oscar Ustari (Getafe), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar)

Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol), Luciano Monzon (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Federico Fazio (Sevilla), Lautaro Acosta (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Fernando Gago (Real Madrid), Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors), Ever Banega (Valencia), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Jose Sosa (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Diego Buonanotte (River Plate), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Benfica)

Source: REUTERS
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