During Argentina’s victory over Bolivia on Tuesday night, Lionel Messi unexpectedly found himself in the position of assistant coach. As a precaution, Messi skipped the World Cup qualifier. After complaining of being exhausted from the previous game against Ecuador, the Inter Miami attacker was rested for the 3-0 victory. Messi’s free-kick tied a South American qualification record and was the game’s lone goal.
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Lionel Messi becomes Argentina’s assistant manager for a game
Messi was not going to be taking part in the Bolivia game. Due to the extremely high altitude, Messi and his teammates received oxygen canisters before to the Bolivia match. The game was played in Estadio Hernando Siles, one of the highest stadiums in the world at 3,637 metres above sea level.
Messi, who was not selected for the World Cup qualifying team, will most likely have to watch from the stands. TNT Sports claims that the 36-year-old submitted a paperwork to FIFA claiming to be an assistant coach.
Messi watched the game from the dugout with his teammates and coaches once the paperwork was accepted and he assumed his new position. With goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Nicolas Gonzalez, Argentina made it two wins in two in their qualification group.
Explaining his substitution in the game prior, and giving a potential reason for missing the Bolivia win, Messi said, “I was a little tired, so it happened that I went out and surely it won’t be the last time I go out during matches.”
With a key MLS matchup against Atlanta United on Saturday, the news may cause some anxiety among Inter Miami supporters. Since his arrival, Messi has transformed Miami, scoring 11 goals in 11 games. He has also led David Beckham’s franchise to Leagues Cup glory.
Martino gives update on Leo Messi
If Miami is to have any hope of entering the MLS playoffs, they must defeat Atlanta and close the gap to six points. However, manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino provided an upbeat update on Messi’s likelihood of participating.
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Tata Martino said, ‘It does not seem like anything important, some symptoms of fatigue, at least that’s the information we have, we will know more today.’
He continued, ‘We know that on all squads this happens. There are players that play a lot more, others that play less that have to take advantage of these types of occasions but it’s also not true that the game depends exclusively on these players who are going to play more now.’
Peru and Paraguay are Argentina’s next opponents, on October 12 and 17, respectively. Should Miami advance, the MLS playoffs will begin on October 25. Messi will thus have a whole week before the opening match. On September 27, he will play in the U.S. Open Cup final first.
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