In his interview with Diario Ole, the Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has opened up on what Leo Messi is like off the pitch.
"What I admire about him, beyond how he is as a player, is that those who really know him know how he is and how he thinks. Because he is someone who sells a lot, people create topics about him... Lots of things can be said but honestly, we talk with the coaching staff and at times it's impressive how naturally he takes it all," Scaloni said.
"You have to tip your hat off. Everything that he generated and generates, what he is and what he does, it's not just because he's a good player but because of how he is as a person. A question to you...
"How many years has he been at the highest level and how many accomplishments does he have? I don't know. It's impressive how well he handles things.
"He's someone that when he gets home, the entire world wants a photo of him, he always has to have a good face on, to be available and 99% of the time, he is available. You have to value that.
"He is the first one that when you need a hand, he's there. He always tries to do what the coach asks, in that sense, I have nothing to say. But on a human level, it's where he has our support because that is where he makes the difference."
The Barcelona captain is currently in Argentina as he prepares together with the national team for the 2021 Copa America. The competition is due to start on June 13, with Argentina scheduled to face Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia in group A.
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'At first, you are astonished by what he does': Araujo shares light on having Messi as teammate
In his interview with ESPN Uruguay, Ronald Araujo was asked to comment on what it is like to have Leo Messi as a teammate.
"At the beginning, you are a bit astonished by what he does, but then you get used to it because he is your teammate," Araujo said.
"I am very happy to be able to share the team and chat with him, the best in the world. He is a great person, he is a great reference, a great captain. He always talks and motivates [you]."
Messi and Araujo have played together for two seasons now as Ronald used to train with the first team last season despite being formally assigned to Barca B.
In total, the two have played 33 matches for Barcelona together, with the captain assisting one of Araujo's goals.
10-year agreement, significant pay cut: Barca's offer to Messi revealed (reliability: 4 stars)
Barcelona have offered Leo Messi an agreement which would last between two and 10 years and be worth €240m in total, Catalan outlet Diario Sport report.
However, out of those 10 years, the Argentine would spend only two of them as a player at Camp Nou, earning €60m per season, which is significantly less than his current salary.
The plan is for Leo to join Inter Miami in 2023 and spent two seasons as a player in the MLS. Simultaneously, he would serve as Barca's ambassador and receive a salary of €60m. Thus, the total sum of his new contract would be spread across four years, two at Camp Nou and two away.
Once his playing career is over, Messi would return to Barca and serve as a global ambassador for at least six more years. He could also have an administrative role, although it's not specified what exactly it would be.
Meanwhile, Leo's current deal with Blaugrana is set to expire at the end of June. According to president Joan Laporta, the talks between the parties are going well.
Although the player is currently with his national team preparing for the 2021 Copa America, the negotiations with his father and agent Jorge Messi are underway.
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