Argentina forward Lionel Messi, left, and national team boss Lionel Scaloni parade the World Cup during the team's arrival in Buenos Aires on December 20, 2022. Getty Images
Argentina forward Lionel Messi, left, and national team boss Lionel Scaloni parade the World Cup during the team's arrival in Buenos Aires on December 20, 2022. Getty Images
Argentina forward Lionel Messi, left, and national team boss Lionel Scaloni parade the World Cup during the team's arrival in Buenos Aires on December 20, 2022. Getty Images
Argentina forward Lionel Messi, left, and national team boss Lionel Scaloni parade the World Cup during the team's arrival in Buenos Aires on December 20, 2022. Getty Images

'As long as he's happy': Argentina boss Scaloni unconcerned about Messi's club future


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has said it does not matter where Lionel Messi plays his club football next season as long as his superstar forward is comfortable and happy.

Where Messi plies his trade in 2023/24 has been the subject of intense speculation for the past 10 days since Paris Saint-Germain suspended him for what the club described as an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.

French media and AFP both reported Tuesday that a move to Saudi side Al Hilal was a "done deal", before Messi's father Jorge later took to social media to say no agreement has been signed and that the player will make a decision on his future at the end of the season.

Messi's former club Barcelona are also keen to bring the 35-year-old back to Camp Nou but the club's finances are proving a hindrance.

Scaloni, who coached Messi and Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year, is confident the noise around Messi will not affect his performances for the national team.

"Let him go to where he will feel comfortable with his teammates and the club's fans," Scaloni told Qatar's Al-Kass channel.

"The matter does not affect us as a national team as long as he's happy when he joins us and we need him to be happy."

Last week, Messi issued an apology to PSG for his trip to Saudi Arabia, where he is an ambassador for the country's tourism board.

Messi returned to training with PSG on Monday, the same day he was crowned Sportsman of the Year at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards, in Paris.

His club suspension meant he missed Sunday's 3-1 win at Troyes that saw the Parisians open up a six-point lead over Lens in Ligue 1 with four games remaining. It remains to be seen whether coach Christophe Galtier will recall Messi for PSG's run-in after he serves the final week of his ban.

His contract at the Parc des Princes expires in June and neither party will exercise the option to extend for another 12 months.

It has been widely reported that Hilal have tabled a mammoth €400 million offer to Messi to join the Riyadh-based club next season.

Specs

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Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

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Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach (8.30pm)

Sunday

Mainz v Augsburg (5.30pm)

Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (8pm)

Recipe

Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo

Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Method

Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.

Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.

Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking,  remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.

Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.

 

The specs

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Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

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Updated: May 10, 2023, 2:05 PM`