Messi's Absence: Bolivia Match Without The Football Legend

Lionel Messi did not play for Argentina in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Bolivia on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, due to concerns about fatigue and a slight knock picked up in the previous match against Ecuador. Messi had played a soccer match every three to four days for club or country for almost two months straight, and the high altitude of La Paz, Bolivia, would have posed a challenging condition for the 36-year-old striker.

Messi complained of fatigue after the Ecuador game

Lionel Messi's absence from the match between Argentina and Bolivia was due to the player's reported fatigue. After the game against Ecuador, Messi underwent precautionary tests and travelled with the team to Bolivia, with manager Lionel Scaloni stating that a decision on Messi's participation would be made closer to the game.

Messi had a busy schedule, playing a game every three to four days for club or country over two months, with extensive travel across the Americas. This heavy congestion of fixtures, combined with a slight knock against Ecuador, raised questions about his availability for the Bolivia match.

Messi himself acknowledged the likelihood of early substitutions in future games, stating that it would "not be the last time I will be removed before the end of the match." Inter Miami manager Tata Martino shared similar sentiments, attributing Messi's situation to "symptoms of fatigue."

The high altitude of Bolivia's Estadio Hernando Siles stadium, sitting at 11,932 feet, further complicates matters. Playing in such conditions increases the risk of injury and makes it a challenging venue for visiting teams.

Ultimately, Messi did not start or feature on the bench for the match against Bolivia, allowing him to rest and recover.

Messi's club, Inter Miami, had a busy schedule

Lionel Messi's club, Inter Miami, had a busy schedule. Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has played a football match every three to four days for club or country for almost two months straight. He has played 11 matches in just a little over a month and a half since his debut for Inter Miami.

Messi's heavy schedule began after his season ended with Paris Saint-Germain in June 2023. He had just over a month off before making his debut for Inter Miami, coming off the bench and scoring a stunning free-kick while logging 36 minutes versus Cruz Azul. Since then, he has had a packed schedule, with Inter Miami finding themselves in do-or-die situations that have led to a lot of miles and fatigue for Messi.

Messi has also had international commitments with Argentina. He played 120 minutes in the U.S. Open Cup to get past FC Cincinnati, and he logged 90 minutes in Argentina's match against Ecuador, where he scored the winning goal from a free-kick. Messi has travelled across the Americas, racking up air miles, and the travel combined with the number of games he has played in a short space of time will have taken a toll on the 36-year-old.

Messi's club schedule with Inter Miami was a key factor in his absence from Argentina's match against Bolivia. The club had an upcoming trip to Atlanta on 16 September, and with only four days between the two matches, the travel back from South America would have been a challenge for Messi. Therefore, the Bolivia match presented a natural opportunity to rest him and reduce the risk of injury.

Messi underwent medical revisions before the Bolivia game

Lionel Messi underwent medical revisions before the Bolivia game. The football icon had complained of fatigue after Argentina's match against Ecuador, which they won 1-0 thanks to Messi's free-kick. Messi came off before the full-time whistle due to a niggle and underwent a few precautionary tests.

Messi travelled to Bolivia with the rest of the Argentina squad, but his participation in the game was uncertain. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said:

> "Messi is going to travel to Bolivia. Today he trained differently, but there are still 2 days left until the game and we will make the decision tomorrow whether he plays or not. The team is going to be similar to the one that played against Ecuador."

Messi had played 11 matches in a month and a half since joining Inter Miami, and had also travelled cross-country with stops in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York, and Cincinnati. Messi's fatigue was understandable given the heavy congestion of fixtures for club and country.

Messi did not train with the rest of the first team, and while it wasn't confirmed, all indications were that he would be on the bench against Bolivia.

Messi didn't train with the first team before the Bolivia match

Lionel Messi did not train with the first team before the Bolivia match. Messi had been experiencing fatigue, and he had complained of the same during the match against Ecuador, which led to him being substituted off. Messi underwent precautionary medical tests and travelled with the squad to Bolivia, but his participation in the match was doubtful.

Messi's absence from training was a strong indication that he would not be starting against Bolivia. The Inter Miami star had been playing matches every three to four days for club or country over the preceding two months, with extensive travel across the Americas. This had resulted in symptoms of fatigue, and the match against Bolivia was an opportunity to rest him.

The Bolivia match was held at La Paz, which sits at a challenging altitude of 3,000 meters (11,932 feet). Playing at such high altitudes is demanding for away teams, and the quickened speed of the ball makes it particularly difficult for visitors to win at Bolivia. Messi had never scored in La Paz, and the conditions further increased the risk of injury.

Messi's exclusion from the starting lineup was a strategic decision by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni to protect their star player and ensure his fitness for upcoming matches. While Messi did not start the game, he was still an important presence on the bench, providing leadership and guidance to his teammates.

Messi has never scored in La Paz

Lionel Messi has never scored in La Paz, despite having eight goals in 11 matches against Bolivia. The 36-year-old Inter Miami striker has had a busy few months, playing a match every three to four days for club or country, and travelling across the Americas. This has resulted in fatigue, with Messi coming off before the full-time whistle against Ecuador due to a "niggle".

Messi underwent precautionary tests after the game and travelled to Bolivia with the rest of the Argentina squad, but it was unclear whether he would play in the World Cup qualifier in La Paz. The decision to rest Messi was made by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who chose to prioritise his star player's health and give him a full 90 minutes of rest. Messi did not train with the rest of the first team in Bolivia and sat out the match.

Messi's absence was a disappointment to many Bolivian fans, who had turned out in their hundreds to welcome him to the country. La Paz's city hall sponsored a sign close to the venue of the match with the Spanish inscription, "Sos grande Messi" (You're great, Messi). However, the decision to post the sign brought criticism to Mayor Iván Arias.

The high altitude of La Paz, with the Estadio Hernando Siles sitting at 11,932 feet, makes it a tough challenge for away teams. The thin air impacts the speed of the ball, making it harder for visiting teams to win. Bolivia took advantage of these conditions in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, beating Brazil 5-1.

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