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Argentina boss insists Lionel Messi-Barcelona row is now "resolved"

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 08 October 2020

Argentina boss insists Messi-Barcelona row is now

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is pleased to see Lionel Messi stay at Barcelona and insists that the row between the club and player is now "resolved".

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has insisted that the row between Lionel Messi and his club Barcelona is now "resolved".

Messi tried to force an exit from his solitary professional club during the summer transfer window, arguing that a clause in his contract entitled him to leave for free.

Barcelona contested that interpretation, though, and the six-time Ballon d'Or winner was ultimately forced to perform a reluctant U-turn, staying at the club for at least another season.

Messi attempted to draw a line under the bitter dispute recently, and Scaloni is happy that the 33-year-old ended up staying at Camp Nou.

"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," Scaloni told reporters.

"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."

As things stand, Messi would be available on a free transfer at the end of next season, with Manchester City thought to be leading the race for his signature.