- Messi wanted to quit Barca in August.
- The Catalans refused to let him go.
- Juan Pablo Sorin has hailed Leo’s response to a ‘very chaotic moment’ of his career.
“I see Messi more and more as a leader and more mature,” Juan Pablo Sorin, who represented Barcelona for six months on loan from Cruzeiro in 2003, told TyC Sports.
“In Barcelona, he has had to experience a very chaotic moment, but he responded quickly on the pitch. He’s also doing very well in the national team.”
![[FILE] Cameroon’s head coach Rigobert Song (R) oversee a training session of his players including Cameroon’s goalkeeper Andre Onana. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/32UX7QD-preview-e1669645898662-350x250.jpg "‘Onana already becoming big distraction for Cameroon’ 31")
Lionel Messi handed in a transfer request at Barca in August. The Catalans, however, refused to sell the 33-year-old. The Argentine is now set to stay at Camp Nou until at least the end of the season as he’s out of contract next summer.
“Leo transferred his fight into good performances on the pitch and that is very good for the Argentines. He suffered defeats in Bolivia in the past and returned to play and win there, it is a strong demonstration of character,” Sorin added.
As a reminder, Leo helped his national team to claim their first win in Bolivia since 2005 in last month’s 2022 World Cup qualifier. Sorin believes that Lionel Scaloni, the current head coach of the Albiceleste, will be able to get the best out of Messi.
“Leo is very well, I think he is very happy in the national team with all the people who know him around him,” the ex-Argentina captain concluded. “I always say that you have to help him and surround him well, but not depend on him.”
Messi is set to feature in Argentina’s WC qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru on November 13 and 18 respectively.
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