13 September 2023 , 14:27
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Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has given an update on Lionel Messi's fitness after the he was left out of their most recent game versus Bolivia.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or victor has had an action-packed schedule in recent times, playing 12 matches in just over a month for club and country. After being withdrawn following his match-winning strike against Ecuador, it seems that the veteran forward was in need of a rest.
The 37-year-old seemingly hit a brick wall during the dying moments of the 1-0 win and he signalled to his manager that he wanted to come off. In the 89th minute, Scaloni carried out his talisman's wishes and substituted him, admitting afterward: "Otherwise, I don’t take him off the pitch, that’s obvious."
The former Barcelona hero was open about his fatigue when asked about his withdrawal from the action after the win. He told Telemundo that he was experiencing some tiredness following an eventful summer, saying: "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."
Following this admission, his trip to the IMAXE medical center did seem to suggest that the Inter Miami superstar was experiencing some discomfort. Although the iconic winger did not look to be in any visible pain upon his arrival, he was understood to have undergone precautionary tests.
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Now, the national team coach has addressed the situation after he was forced to leave his star man out of his squad for their second World Cup qualifier. Although his team pulled off a 3-0 victory in his absence, Messi being left out did inspire some intrigue in the lead-up to the game.
The world champion boss said: "He wasn't ready to play. Yesterday he tried to recover and he didn't feel comfortable and we didn't take the risk, he wasn't fit. Yesterday in training we wanted him to try and he didn't even try."
Lionel Messi has only been rested once by club team Inter Miami since his arrival (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Previous to this break from playing, Messi had only been rested on one occasion following his debut in the Leagues Cup for Miami. That came in his team's 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls, where the striker was only fielded for 30 minutes of the action, as opposed to the full game.
It is thought that the world-famous marksman still stayed around the squad despite his fitness issues during this latest international camp. His decision to not head back to America has earned the praise of his teammates and midfielder Rodrigo de Paul waxed lyrical about his captain's dedication following the Bolivia match.
'He's an absolute leader and an example of love and care for the team," the Atletico Madrid midfielder said. "He could have gone away and enjoyed his son’s birthday and yet he came here with us."