[2026 QUALIFICATION]

The players arrived in Bolivia’s La Paz and immediately each had to use their own oxygen tank.

Argentina coach updates Lionel Messi’s injury before the match against Bolivia

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi will accompany the team in the match against Bolivia, but the decision on whether he will start or not will only be made according to the actual situation.

The Inter Miami star was substituted in the 89th minute of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 36-year-old scored the winning goal in that match, but concerns were raised when Scaloni said the La Albicelestes captain felt “something wasn’t right” late in the game and asked to be substituted .

After medical tests, Scaloni gave an update on the one-time Barcelona icon ahead of the qualifying match against Bolivia that will take place next Tuesday. He said: “Messi will go to Bolivia. Today he trained with a different plan than everyone else, but the match is still 2 days away and we will make a decision tomorrow on whether he will start or not. My priority is to arrange a squad similar to the match against Ecuador.”

Even though he is in the final stages of his career, Messi has repeatedly shown that he is still one of the best players in the world. Messi has scored 11 goals since joining new club Inter Miami and once again proved his value for Argentina with a stunning free kick against Ecuador.

Even if injury does not allow Messi to start against Bolivia, he can still play for Inter Miami against Atlanta United on Saturday.