Lionel Messi trained differently for the duel with Bolivia

The Argentine national team He trained for the last time before the duel on the second date of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup fHe went to Bolivia with the big doubt of knowing if captain Lionel Messi will be part of the initial cast, since he did light work away from the squad due to a muscle discomfort he suffered in the victory with Ecuador.

Coach Lionel Scaloniwhich carried out the last practice at The Strongest grounds, has not yet defined the team until it knows with certainty the physical condition of the star and the adaptation of the rest of the team to the 3,625 meters of altitude.

The training only lasted one hour and 10 minutes so as not to strain the squad ahead of this Tuesday’s match.

At Sunday’s press conference, the coach confirmed that the team “would be similar to the one that beat Ecuador”, but that he would not rule out making adjustments due to the height and what adaptation the footballers will have to the height.

Furthermore, he highlighted the wear and tear of Messi since his arrival at Inter Miami.

With respect to the rest of the players, the midfielder Angel Di Maria would return to the first team instead Nicolas Gonzalez on the left wing, although the Fiorentina striker could remain in the eleven in case he Messi start on the substitutes’ bench.

The attackers Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez They are also the options to replace the captain.

Given their experience at altitude, the midfielders Leandro Paredes or Exequiel Palacios They could have their chance from the beginning, since they played in 2020, the last game against Bolivia as a visitor and they know the inclement weather at the Hernando Siles stadium.

The training would be with: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes or Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister; Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi or Nicolás González and Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez.