According to Catalan sport daily Sport, Argentina has released FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (23) from any obligation to play in the August 11th friendly against Ireland.

Both Leo Messi and Dani Alves are scheduled to return on July 31 to Camp Nou to undergo their physicals. That will make them available for the pre-season Asian tour, where Barcelona will play  two matches, one in South Korea and one in Beijing. They depart on Sunday, August 1, and return home on August 9th.

Five days later, Barcelona will dispute the first leg of the Super Cup against Sevilla on August 14th.  Thus, taking Messi’s club schedule into account, Argentina has seen fit to release the superstar from their list.

As for the blaugrana players on the Spanish National Team, it will be known whether or not they are also freed, once Vicente del Bosque releases his list of called-up players.