Coach Scaloni: 'Messi rested because he was not comfortable'

Bolivia According to coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi did not play in Argentina's win over Bolivia on September 12 because he felt unwell.

"Messi is not ready to play," Scaloni said after the match on the evening of September 12. "Yesterday, he tried to recover, but he did not feel comfortable. We did not want to take any risks."

Messi was not on the squad for the match in La Paz. He sat on the bench, but only to cheer on his teammates. Scaloni had previously announced that he would decide on the squad based on the recovery process.

Messi (right) stood aside and was not on the list of players for the Bolivia - Argentina match on the evening of September 12. Photo: AFP — Messi (right) stood aside and was not on the list of players for the Bolivia - Argentina match on the evening of September 12. Photo: *AFP*

Without their captain on the field, Argentina still played well against the team at the bottom of the South American World Cup qualifying group. The defending champions scored three goals thanks to Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez. After two matches, Argentina ranked second with six points, only behind Brazil on goal difference. Meanwhile, Bolivia has no points.

Messi’s fitness is becoming an issue for Argentina. On September 7, at the end of the 1-0 win over Ecuador, the 36-year-old striker had to ask to be taken off due to fatigue. After the match, Messi admitted that this could happen many times.

After the 2022 World Cup, Messi also mentioned the possibility of not participating in defending the championship. He is worried that he will not be physically fit enough to play at his best for Argentina. When the World Cup takes place in the US, Mexico and Canada in June 2026, Messi will be 39 years old.

La Paz, where the Bolivia-Argentina match took place, is 3,625 meters above sea level. Playing here is always a torture for away players, especially the elderly. When playing away against Bolivia, Argentina drew 1-1 in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, lost 0-2 in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, and won 2-1 in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

"The thin air in La Paz added to the difficulty of the game," said coach Scaloni after the 3-0 win. "However, we managed to get the three points. My players are very good. Without them, we could not have achieved this result."

Main events of the match Bolivia 0-3 Argentina.

The South American qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup consists of 10 teams. The top six teams will automatically qualify for the finals. The seventh-placed team will have to compete for a play-off spot with representatives from other continents.

Last year, Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup after a 36-year wait. After losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in the opening match, he and his teammates beat Mexico 2-0, Poland 2-0, Australia 2-1, the Netherlands 4-3 in the quarter-final penalty shootout (2-2 draw after 120 minutes), Croatia 3-0, and France 4-2 in the final penalty shootout (3-3 draw after 120 minutes). In seven matches, Messi scored seven goals and assisted three. He also won the Golden Ball award at the 2022 World Cup and the Silver Boot.

Thanh Quy (according to TyCSports )

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