Messi sits out Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match at Bolivia
Argentina's Lionel Messi walks after national soccer team practice in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Argentina will face Bolivia for a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026, in La Paz, on Tuesday (AP Photo/Juan Karita)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Juan Karita]
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Lionel Messi will sit out Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match in Bolivia. The 36-year-old Inter Miami star was neither in the starting lineup for the World Cup champions nor on the bench. The Argentinian soccer association has not specified why its team captain is out, though Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Sunday that Messi had left the match against Ecuador last week complaining of fatigue. Messi did not train with the team on Monday.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A soccer fan holds a picture of Argentina's soccer star Lionel Messi as she waits for the arrival of the Argentina national soccer team, at the airport in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. Argentina will face Bolivia for a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Juan Karita