Lionel Messi: Argentina coach claims his captain has resolved issues with Barcelona
- Lionel Messi has resolved his issues with Barcelona, according to Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni
- The 33-year-old nearly left the club after handing a transfer request during the summer window
- Messi was on target for Argentina as they defeat Ecuador by 1-0 in the 2022 World Cup qualifier
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Lionel Messi decided to stay put at Barcelona for another season and Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni believes the 33-year-old has resolved his rift with the club.
The Argentine captain unceremoniously told the club that he wanted to leave last summer after having some issues with Barca's hierarchy.
Messi returned to the national team after serving a suspension and grabbed the only goal of their 2022 World qualifier against Ecuador from a penalty in the 12th minute.
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And Scaloni is happy to see Messi return to play for his country after scoring his 71st goal in the win at La Bombonera.
Scaloni said:
"I spoke to Leo when everything was resolved and I saw him calm.
"Since his arrival, we've been able to have a long chat. He is happy to be here. He's now well in his club.
"All we wanted from a distance was for everything to be resolved and for him to play and to be fit.
"For us, it's positive that he stayed because he was able to play immediately, he knows the club, but in terms of decisions, we don't get involved in that, we don't step in the player's territory."
The Albiceleste will take on Bolivia in three days time before players will return to their respective club sides.
Messi helped Barcelona record an opening day La Liga win over Villarreal by 4-0 and another away at Celta Vigo by 3-0 before playing out a 1-1 scoreline with Sevilla.
Their next game after the break will be away to Getafe before their first Champions League clash of the season against Hungarian club Ferencvaros.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Lionel Messi at one point in his career wanted to leave Barcelona to join Premer League giants Chelsea in 2004.
The Barcelona star recently changed his mind about leaving the Camp Nou this summer and decided to see out the remainder of his contract.
But according to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Messi was close to moving to England when the Stamford Bridge club came calling.
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Source: Legit.ng
