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Messi will miss Barca opener to face Brazil

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Lionel Messi's involvement in Barcelona's first league fixture against Sporting Gijon had been in doubt after the gifted player expressed a desire to play for his country in the decisive World Cup qualifier against Brazil.

And, according to Julio Grondona, president of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA), Barcelona have agreed to excuse the player from the league match.

"There is no problem," Grondona told RAC1. "This is something that has been agreed upon between [Josep] Guardiola and [Diego] Maradona."

There has been no confirmation from Barcelona of yet, with the Blaugrana due to comment on this matter through Guardiola in a press conference on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo suggests right-back Daniel Alves could also be allowed to miss the league match.

Nevertheless, the pair will be in action for Barca in the European Super Cup, against Shakhtar Donetsk, on August 28. The World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil is scheduled to take place in Rosario on September 5.

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