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‘Messi needs the team and the team needs him’ – Scaloni discusses Barca star ahead of Copa America

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni knows Lionel Messi has “a special aura”, but he urged his squad to help create a comfortable atmosphere around the star as they prepare for the start of the Copa America in June.

Barcelona’s Messi is joining up with his Argentine team-mates ahead of a friendly against Nicaragua and then Group B tournament fixtures against Colombia, Paraguay and Qatar.

Messi endured a disappointing end to the season with Barca, who spectacularly squandered a 3-0 first-leg Champions League semi-final lead, as Liverpool came back to win 4-0 at Anfield to reach the final against Tottenham.