Lionel Messi Returns to Boost Argentina Against Bolivia After Disappointing Start
Lionel Messi is back with the Argentina national team, tasked with rejuvenating the squad after a lackluster opening to the October international window. The Albiceleste will host Bolivia on Tuesday, seeking to improve following a 1-1 draw against Venezuela.
Messi made his comeback from injury on Thursday, marking his first appearance since the Copa America final this summer. However, he could not change the outcome in Venezuela, where Argentina managed only eight shots and failed to score after an early header from Nicolás Otamendi. This result allowed Colombia to momentarily threaten Argentina’s position at the top of the COMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, although Los Cafeteros lost in La Paz despite playing with an extra man for 70 minutes.
Bolivia, on the other hand, has climbed to sixth place in the standings with three consecutive wins, including a surprising victory over a strong Colombian side. While they struggle to perform away from home, a recent win against struggling Chile has bolstered their confidence.
Argentina vs. Bolivia Lineups
While Messi is back, Argentina has seen several key players withdraw due to injuries or fitness issues. Nicolás González is sidelined after sustaining an injury with Fiorentina, and Alejandro Garnacho, Marcos Acuña, and Paulo Dybala have also pulled out for various reasons. Cristian Romero returns from a yellow card suspension, but Emiliano Martínez is unavailable as he serves a two-match suspension. Alexis Mac Allister is part of the squad but did not start against Venezuela, and Germán Pezzella has recovered from a fitness concern. However, Giovani Lo Celso is out due to a recent injury.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni may regret his heavy rotation in the match against Venezuela, and we could see regulars like Lautaro Martínez and Lisandro Martínez back in the starting XI.
Projected Argentina Starting XI (4-3-3): Rulli (GK) — Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico — De Paul, E. Fernández, Mac Allister — Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Álvarez.
Full Argentina Squad:
- Goalkeepers: Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benítez
- Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Germán Pezzella, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Julio Soler
- Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Nicolás Paz, Facundo Buonanotte
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Valentín Carboni
For Bolivia, veteran goalkeeper Carlos Lampe will miss significant time after tearing his Achilles, leading to Guillermo Viscarra stepping in as his replacement. Viscarra excelled against Colombia with nine saves to secure a shutout.
Bolivia also faces setbacks, as young defender Yomar Rocha and rising star Ervin Vaca have withdrawn due to injuries. Midfielder Héctor Cuéllar will serve a suspension after being sent off early in the win against Colombia, likely paving the way for Gabriel Villamil to enter the lineup.
Projected Bolivia Starting XI (5-3-2): Viscarra (GK) — Medina, Haquín, Suárez, Sagredo, Fernández — Matheus, Villamil, R. Vaca — Terceros, Algaranaz.
Full Bolivia Squad:
- Goalkeepers: Bruno Poveda, Alejandro Torres, Guillermo Viscarra
- Defenders: Sebastián Álvarez, Roberto Fernández, Luis Haquín, Diego Medina, Luis Paz, José Sagredo, Widen Saucedo, Marcelo Suárez, Pablo Vaca
- Midfielders: Daniel Camacho, Jeyson Chura, Víctor Cuéllar, Adalid Terrazas, Robson Tomé, Ramiro Vaca, Gabriel Villamil
- Forwards: Carmelo Algaranaz, Lucas Chávez, José Martínez, Bruno Miranda, Enzo Monteiro, Jhon Velásquez
Match Details
Argentina vs. Bolivia will kick off at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, October 15, at 9:00 p.m. local time. Here’s how that translates globally:
- USA/Canada: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 8 p.m. ET
- Australia: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. AEDT
- UK: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1 a.m. BST
- India: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 5:30 a.m. IST
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