• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Lionel Messi gets new job as Argentina cleverly exploit FIFA loophole

Home> Football> MLS

Updated 09:40 14 Sep 2023 GMT+1Published 09:38 14 Sep 2023 GMT+1

Lionel Messi gets new job as Argentina cleverly exploit FIFA loophole

Lionel Messi did not play in Argentina's win over Bolivia but he did have a role to play.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Inter Miami

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Lionel Messi was given a new job for Argentina in their World Cup qualifier win against Bolivia on Tuesday.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner sat out the 3-0 win after being substituted in the 89th minute of the game against Ecuador, where he scored a trademark free-kick stunner just days earlier.

Captain Messi had complained about being tired and so he was completely rested for the clash against Bolivia at the Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz, a place where the 36-year-old doesn't normally enjoying playing.

The ground is 3,637 metres above sea level and so players were given personal oxygen tanks to prepare for the high altitude.

Messi had "felt something" in the game against Ecuador and so was left out against Bolivia as a precaution. The Barcelona legend was seen on the bench for the triumph, where Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Gonzalez were all on target.

Advert

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

He would have had to watch from the stands but the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was granted special dispensation.

TNT Sports Argentina say that Messi filled out a form saying that he was as an assistant coach and it was signed off by FIFA.

Messi was therefore able to be alongside his teammates and manager Lionel Scaloni even though he was not in the squad.

Advert

"That's a bit of leadership too," goalscorer Tagliafico said on Messi still being present.

"He knew he wasn't going to play, he wanted to be there, he wanted to accompany us and that shows what he is."

He will now head back to the United States for club commitments with Inter Miami, take on Atlanta United on Saturday 16 September.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Advert

Messi missed their latest fixture while away with Argentina as Gerardo Martino's side beat Sporting Kansas City but is expected to return.

"SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here or 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp."

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
9 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Why Diogo Jota's funeral will take place so soon after Liverpool star's tragic death as details revealed

    A funeral for the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva will take place two days after the tragic accident.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Andy Robertson pays beautiful tribute to 'buddy' Diogo Jota after Liverpool star's tragic death

    Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva lost their lives in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday morning.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Trent Alexander-Arnold releases emotional statement following death of former team-mate Diogo Jota

    Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to Diogo Jota after his tragic death was confirmed on Thursday morning.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Arne Slot releases heartfelt statement following tragic death of Diogo Jota

    Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning.

    Football
  • Lionel Messi has purchased $10.8 million mansion in Florida as stunning overhead footage emerges
  • Lionel Messi 'strikes private agreement' to bypass strict MLS rule
  • Fans notice Lionel Messi’s ‘final dig’ at PSG after posting good luck message to Marco Verratti
  • Lionel Messi wins the game for Argentina with stunning late free kick