Real Madrid have blocked Gabriel Heinze from playing in the Olympic Games because they claim he is vital for their Spanish Super Cup encounter in August.
The defender was called as one of the Albiceleste's three over-23 players after Inter refused to let Nicolas Burdisso go, but now he too has been stopped from playing.
Los Merengues meet Valencia in the middle of August in the Spanish Super Cup and have also said that he will be required for the opening league game on the final weekend of the same month.
Heinze will be required because Fabio Cannavaro will still be injured, leaving Madrid with only Pepe and Christoph Metzelder as recognised central defenders, although Sergio Ramos can also play there.
It is a decision that has not caused shockwaves because already numerous major clubs have prevented their stars from going to China for several weeks and missing the start of the new season.
Among those called up and stopped from going are Bayern Munich's Martin Demechelis, Barcelona's Ronaldinho, Deportivo's Fabricio Coloccini, Milan's Kaká and Werder Bremen's Diego.
Argentina have already moved to replace Heinze by asking Anderlecht for permission to release Nicolás Pareja and if they say no, then the next on the list is believed to be Liverpool's Emiliano Insúa.
Player Profile:
Name: Ivan Gabriel Heinze (Gabriel)
Born: Crespo, Argentina
Nationality: Argentina
Position: Back Left, Defender Center
DOB: 19/3/1978
Current Club: Real Madrid
Gabriel Heinze joined Manchester United for £6.9m in June 2004.
Prior to playing his first game for the English giants, he had just won the Athens Olympics for Argentina, keeping clean sheets in all games.
Heinze started his professional career with Newell's Old Boys. After 8 games, he moved to Real Valladolid in Spain.
One year on loan in Sporting Lisbon, was enough for him to get interest from Paris St. Germain, where he furthered his skill and mastery at tackling.
His joining Manchester United could not have come at a better time, with an injury ridden team early on in the season, Heinze was an important member for keeping clean sheets, as well as getting the ball dangerously forward.
A very popular attacking player, Heinze has made his mark in the United squad, and has shown that he can, on his day, be the best player in the team.
I have progressed a lot and leave with a lot of pride even if I feel sad, I will always remember the supporters and will never forget the minute's silence that was so much respected when my father died this year. I leave a club and a city who gave me a lot of emotions, but that's football, that's life.
- Heinze leaving PSG
Career History:
22/08/2007 Real Madrid
£8.15m
2004 Manchester United
£6.9m
2001 Paris Saint-German FC
1999 Real Valladolid
Loan
1998 Sporting Lisboa
1997 Newell's Old Boys
Honours
2004
Olympic Games
French Cup
