Argentina will look to remain at the top of the South American qualifying league for the 2026 World Cup when they take on Bolivia in Buenos Aires (8:00pm ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.). Ahead of the game, questions have been asked as to whether or not Lionel Messi will feature, given his ropey fitness history over the past weeks and months.
And this international break has not been a simple one for Argentina: the side’s travel plans from Miami were moved ahead of the Venezuela game due to Hurricane Milton, scuppering their pre-game preparations. When the game came around, they managed a 1-1 draw, with Otamendi’s first half goal being cancelled out by a Rondón effort past Gerónimo Rulli after the break.
Messi fitness update
As things stand, there is no indication that Lionel Messi will not feature, as he has trained normally with the rest of the squad. He appears to have fully overcome his injury fears that kept him out since the final of the Copa América, where he fell to physical issues that became a struggle to overcome.
The player did play the full 90 minutes against Venezuela in Argentina’s previous game, which heavily suggests that Scaloni has no qualms about playing the 37-year-old forward.
Argentina potential XI:
GK: Rulli
DEF: Molina – Romero – Otamendi – Tagliafico
MID: De Paul – Fernández – Lo Celso – Mac Allister
ATT: Messi – MartÃnez
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Argentina’s Lionel Messi during training ahead of the Bolivia game.Agustin MarcarianREUTERSRelated stories
Lionel Scaloni’s team have 19 points from 9 games and sit atop the division, while Bolivia are down in 6th with 12 points from their 9 games played. The last time Messi played against Bolivia, Messi managed to score a hat-trick, netting three in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup campaign. However, he has not scored for the Albiceleste in four matches.
The CONMEBOL qualifier between Argentina and Bolivia will be played on Tuesday, October 15th with kick off at 8:00pm ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.
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Publish date : 2024-10-15 03:53:00
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