Lionel Messi won't start vs Bolivia, look at the starting eleven

Argentina and Lionel Messi have a complicated match in the CONMEBOL qualifiers towards the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni's team is already in La Paz to face Bolivia in a few hours in a match in which they could continue their path towards the World Cup 2026. However, the reality is that playing in Bolivia is one of the scenarios that has been most complicated for Argentina and its team. On the other hand, the news is confirmed that Lionel Messi will not start.

On Tuesday morning, journalist Gaston Edul announced that Lionel Messi will not start this match, despite the fact that his participation at some point in the match is not ruled out. It is worth remembering that the Inter Miami player was injured in the last match against Ecuador and therefore, TyC Sports shares that this is a precautionary measure by the Argentine National Team coach for Messi.

The Albiceleste coach warned in a press conference that there will not be many modifications regarding the match with Ecuador, although he also announced that Angel Di María and Julian Alvarez could return to the starting team, as happened in the final stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. These two would enter in place of Messi and Lautaro Martínez, respectively. Now, Argentina's lineup is official and the doubts that were had are made official.

What is Argentina's lineup against Bolivia?

Prior to the match, the possibility of a line of five defenders is being considered and, although he will start on the bench, the captain will seek to tilt his history at the height in his favor. In total there were three visits to the Hernando Siles stadium and they recorded a defeat (6-1), a draw (1-1) and a victory (2-1). Now, the '10' from Rosario will try not only to win again, but also to score his first goal in that territory. Lionel Scaloni's starting team for this duel is: Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; DePaul, Enzo, Alexis; Di María, Julián, González.