Lionel Messi will get new job as Argentina make the most of FIFA loophole

Sep 14, 2023 at 4:26 AM
Lionel Messi will get new job as Argentina make the most of FIFA loophole

Lionel Messi abruptly discovered himself as Argentina’s new assistant coach through the win over Bolivia on Tuesday night. Messi sat out of the World Cup qualifier as a precaution.

The Inter Miami ahead was rested for the 3-0 win after complaining of being drained from the sport earlier than in opposition to Ecuador. Messi scored the one objective of the sport and his free-kick tied a South American qualifying document.

In the construct as much as the Bolivia fixture, Messi and his teammates were given oxygen canisters because of the excessive altitude. Estadio Hernando Siles, the place the sport was held, is 3,637 meters above sea stage – one of many highest stadiums on the earth.

In any case, Messi was not named within the World Cup qualifying squad and would ordinarily have to observe from the stands. However, in accordance with TNT Sports, the 36-year-old crammed out a type to FIFA to say he was an assistant coach.

The type was authorised and Messi, in his new function, watched the sport from the dugout alongside his teammates and coaches. Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez all scored as Argentina made it two wins from two of their qualifying group.

Explaining his substition within the recreation prior, and giving a possible purpose for lacking the Bolivia win, Messi mentioned: “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.”

The news will come as some concern to Inter Miami followers with a vital MLS recreation in opposition to Atlanta United on Saturday. Messi has had a transformative impact on Miami since becoming a member of, scoring 11 targets in 11 video games and main David Beckham’s franchise to Leagues Cup glory.

Miami are six factors adrift of the MLS playoff locations and can want a win in opposition to Atlanta in the event that they stand any probability of creating them. Manager, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, nonetheless, gave a constructive replace on Messi’s possibilities of taking part in.

“It does not seem like anything important, some symptoms of fatigue, at least that’s the information we have, we will know more today,” Martino mentioned of Messi. “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.”

Argentina’s subsequent video games are in opposition to Paraguay and Peru on October 12. and October 17. MLS playoffs, ought to Miami make them, begin on Oct 25. It means Messi could have a full week earlier than the primary recreation. He does, nonetheless, have the ultimate of the U.S. Open Cup first on September 27.