Messi: Scaloni Provides Update on Argentina Captain's Availability Ahead of Bolivia Clash

• Argentina got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a winning start
• Lionel Messi scored the only goal from a free kick to win a tie against Ecuador
• The world champions will face a challenging game versus Bolivia on Thursday

Lionel Messi's availability for Argentina's crunch tie against Bolivia in their second game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier continues to be a major source of concern and the head coach is not giving anything away.

The world champions got off to a winning start on the road to the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada in 2026 to defend the crown they won in Qatar about nine months ago.

Argentina beat Ecuador in the opening game thanks to a Messi free kick in the 78th minute, which secured all three points after their visitors remained defensively resolute for most of the game.

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The La Albiceleste captain did not see out the game and left the pitch with a few minutes left to play, with fans wondering about the state of his health.

Scaloni provides update on Messi

At 36, Messi is not the most energetic and athletic footballer in the world anymore and has had a very tight schedule with his new club, Inter Miami, playing 12 times since his debut in July.

TyC Sports reported that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will indeed travel to Bolivia after undertaking medical tests over initial concerns that he would not make the trip.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, head coach Scaloni was tight-lipped over Messi's involvement in La Paz, though he confirmed the veteran would travel with them.

"Today, he trained differently, but there are still two days left until the game, and we will make the decision tomorrow whether he plays or not," he said, via Sportskeeda.

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"The team is going to be similar to the one that played against Ecuador."

Why Messi was substituted against Ecuador

Sports Brief reported on why Messi was substituted against Ecuador as head coach, Scaloni cleared the air on why he hauled him off in the 87th minute after he put the team ahead.

The Argentina manager claimed it was the captain's request to be brought off, which the Inter Miami star later confirmed and chalked up to tiredness and not a rumoured injury.