Jorge Sampaoli promises to make Lionel Messi feel ‘happy’ playing for Argentina
Barcelona star has been unsettled while on international duty after struggling to win silverware with his nation
JORGE SAMPAOLI'S main priority as boss of Argentina is to ensure Lionel Messi is 'happy' while playing for his nation.
Barcelona's talisman has had issues while on international duty but the former Sevilla boss is keen to paper over the cracks and keep his main man happy.
Sevilla announced last week they had reached an agreement with the Argentinian Football Association and handed them a deadline of June 1 to complete the deal.
Sampaoli was later released from his contract with the La Liga club and was announced as Argentina's new boss.
Speaking on Messi, who has lost four major finals with Argentina, the 57-year-old said: "I had to face Messi [with both Chile and Sevilla].
"We want the world's best player to feel happy being here.
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"The important thing is that Messi has compatible players. I spoke to him and he is very excited."
Sampaoli, who won the Copa America with Chile in 2015, is thrilled to have taken the job and is excited to get to work.
He added: "It is a dream that I cherished for ages. This is a position I always admired It generates a lot of dreams and passion."