Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni commented on the absence of Lionel Messi from the team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia (3-0). The match took place at the Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz, which is located at an altitude of 3637 metres above sea level.
"He wasn't ready to play. Leo tried to recover, but he felt uncomfortable, so we decided not to risk it.
He was not in shape. We wanted him to try to train with us, but he didn't even try," Scaloni said in a post-match interview.
It should be noted that the world champions used special oxygen cylinders in preparation for the match.