He obtained his spanish passport and is now eligible to play for Barca in La Liga too.Close the thread!
Messi gets Spanish citizenship
Argentina striker Lionel Messi has obtained Spanish citizenship and is free to play for Barcelona in the Liga, the club said on Monday. Meanwhile, England captain and Real Madrid star David Beckham has expressed his wish to extend his contract with the Merengue.
Messi was restricted to appearances in the Champions League for Barca this season after doubts were raised over his status as an "assimilated player" in Spain.
It had been assumed that, because he joined the club as a 13-year-old and played the last two seasons in the youth teams, he would automatically be considered an assimilated European Union player.
Barca have been waiting for Spanish soccer authorities to clarify the player's position, and decided not to play him in the league this season.
Under Spanish Football Federation rules, each Primera Liga club is allowed only three non-European Union players in their squad.
Barca's three berths are already occupied by Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, Mexican defender Rafael Marquez and Brazil forward Ronaldinho.
The 18-year old prodigy, who has been compared with the young Diego Maradona, was top scorer for Argentina when they won the World Youth Cup in June.
He extended his contract with Barcelona for the second time in three months just over a week ago, and is committed to the Catalans till 2014 with a buy-out clause of 150 million euros.