Messi is comfortable at Barcelona, says Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was asked about Lionel Messi following his public row with Barcelona's director of football Éric Abidal.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni doesn't see Barcelona star Lionel Messi as being unsettled with the LaLiga champions or thinking about moving elsewhere. Messi and his future have been the topics of discussion since the Barça superstar's public row with director of football Éric Abidal.
After Abidal suggested some players were not working hard enough prior to Ernesto Valverde's sacking in January, Messi snapped back via social media and it raised doubts over his future at Camp Nou. Scaloni, however, is not concerned about Argentina skipper and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, who is out of contract at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Messi's fine - Scaloni
"He seems fine to me," Scaloni told reporters. "The other day, against Real Betis, he was the best player on the field even though he didn't score. He gave the assist and participated in every chance on goal. He's fine, he's comfortable, he will have to decide on his future but I think he's comfortable. I'm not worried at all. He's comfortable in the national team and at Barcelona. Then what will come will come, I stay out of it."
Argentina finished third at 2019 Copa América but Scaloni's side have another chance to be crowned South American champions as co-hosts of this year's tournament alongside Colombia. Messi is still seeking his first senior title with Argentina, who were runners-up at the 2014 World Cup before losing in back-to-back Copa América finals in 2015 and 2016.
"I think the important thing is to try [to win the Copa América], that he knows we'll try and play an important role at the tournament," Scaloni added. "He [Messi] is not the only one that wants to win something with the national team, we all want to win, the coach, his team mates, so well, we'll try and let's hope we can make it."
Argentina's Copa América campaign
Argentina are in Group A (South Zone) for the 2020 Copa América, along with Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and first-time guests Australia. The Albiceleste will open the tournament against Chile in Buenos Aires on 12 June.