Lionel Messi might not start against Bolivia, this is the reason

Lionel Messi remains the big doubt for the match against Bolivia in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Messi came out injured in the last game against Ecuador and Lionel Scaloni could decide not to risk it, taking into account that in La Paz a important physical fullness due to the demands that said terrain presents, mainly the height above the sea at which the matches are played.

Lionel Scaloni was clear in a press conference regarding what could happen with Lionel Messi heading into the following season. The Argentine footballer has positioned himself significantly in the last month and certainly continues to make a difference despite being in the MLS. In fact, Messi was the player who scored the winning goal on matchday one against Ecuador. However, his presence against Bolivia is unknown.

According to TyC Sports, the team, which arrived directly to La Paz yesterday, at 3,625 meters above sea level, trained in the afternoon at The Strongest grounds: the practice lasted just one hour and 10 minutes. Lionel Scaloni mixed players and even tried a line of five defenders (Lisandro Martínez would join). The coach must still define the eleven, which will depend largely on how the players adapt to the altitude.

Did Messi not train either?

According to Diario Olé, Messi did not do all the exercises with his teammates, in fact, at one point during practice he was next to Lionel Scaloni giving certain instructions and listening to the coach. The technical director's idea is to give the team to the footballers only tomorrow. Meanwhile, he is also waiting for Lionel Messi, who was in doubt for the trip, only adding different training sessions to the rest of his teammates.