Lionel Messi is hungry for Copa America trophy with Argentina
June 1, 2021, 11:51 am

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The last trophy for Lionel Messi with the Argentine national football team was at the 2019 Superclásico de las Américas in Riyadh. The final match ended then with a one-to-zero win for Argentina over Brazil, while major tournaments with the home outfit, such as the World Cup or the Copa America, have eluded the football icon.

Lionel Messi appears to have set his sights on winning the 2021 Copa America with the Argentine national football team.

"I'm very excited and really hungry to do well. In the last Copa America we left a good impression, but we can't just be happy with that,” said the Barcelona forward, who is yet to lift a senior international trophy with his native team, in an interview with the media of the Argentinian Football Association (AFA).

The 2021 Copa America international championship organized by South America's football ruling body CONMEBOL may be Messi’s last chance to score such a win. The tournament will take place in Brazil from 13 June to 10 July 2021.

Brazil was chosen as the hosting venue for the second consecutive time after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of hosting rights for the tournament. CONMEBOL announced the decision on 31 May after it ruled out Argentina amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Earlier, Colombia was struck off the list as co-host on 20 May in the wake of wide-spread demonstrations that rocked the nation since April.

CONMEBOL went on Twitter to confirm that the tournament is to be hosted by the defending champions – Brazil – who won the competition in 2019 as hosts.

Ahead of the Copa America, the Argentine national team, also known as La Albiceleste, faces two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.

"I'm very happy to be here with the boys. We're gradually getting together, working hard and preparing for the qualifying games," said Messi in the AFA interview.

Touching upon the last qualifiers, he said while the playing had been good, they were determined to improve.

“We have to try and kept our rhythm back as soon as possible and keep improving… It's always special to be with the national team. We want to win, that's the goal,” said the 33-year old Argentinian.

Looking ahead, the winner of a record six Ballon d'Or awards struck an optimistic note, saying:

"I think we have a very united group, with a very good core that has been worked on since Scaloni arrived, with the boys that he's brought in. We've got a very good group and that's the important thing. It's got to be a very strong group for the challenges that await us."

This comes as Lionel Messi, who during the season made one notable push to exit FC Barcelona, is still due to hit free agency, as no fresh terms have yet been agreed regarding his stay with the Spanish club.

The soccer icon’s contract is set to run out next month, with his future shrouded in speculation since he first said he wanted to leave last August. At the time, he was forced to reconsider after then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted a clause in his contract barred him from leaving on a free transfer.

Both PSG and Manchester City have been linked with signing the forward.

ESPN has reported that Barca president Joan Laporta was working on a two-year deal for Messi, with the option for an additional season.

Source: Sputnik

Image source: Sputnik

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.