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."
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Lionel Messi, Saudi Tourism brand ambassador and his son enjoy learning how to play a popular board game called Carrom during a family break to the Kingdom. Photo: Saudi Tourism Authority -
Lionel Messi and his wife his wife Antonela Roccuzzo in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Tourism -
Lionel Messi and his sons visited a Saudi farm where they interacted with an Arabian Gazelle. Photo: Saudi Tourism Authority -
Lionel Messi and his family pose for a photo during a holiday to Saudi Arabia. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Tourism -
Lionel Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their sons spent their holiday visiting an authentic Saudi farm. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Tourism -
Lionel Messi, Saudi Tourism brand ambassador and his family being given some insider tips on the art of palm weaving. Photo: Saudi Tourism Authority -
Lionel Messi has been suspended for two weeks by his club Paris Saint-Germain for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. Reuters
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.
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Argentina's Lionel Messi embraces his sons prior to an international friendly match against Panama in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, March 23, 2023. Argentina won the match 2-0. AP Photo -
Lionel Messi of Argentina with his children and teammates line up for the national anthem. Getty Images -
The wife of Argentina's forward Lionel Messi, Antonela Roccuzzo, films with her mobile phone before the friendly football match against Panama, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. AFP -
Lionel Messi of Argentina enters the pitch and passes next to the World Cup. Getty Images -
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi applauds fans after the national anthems ceremony. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi walks past the World Cup trophy before the friendly football match against Panama. AFP -
Lionel Messi of Argentina. Getty Images -
Panama's Kevin Galvan fouls Argentina's Lionel Messi. AP Photo -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi shoots. AFP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Rodrigo De Paul after scoring his side's second goal against Panama. It was his 800th goal in his senior career. AFP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi scores their second goal. Reuters -
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi waves during a recognition ceremony for the World Cup winning team. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi looks at his son Thiago as he lifts a replica of the World Cup trophy. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi is lifted up by teammates during a recognition ceremony. AFP
