Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates given oxygen tubes ahead of World Cup qualifier against Bolivia to help cope with the high altitude
- Argentina’s players have been given oxygen tubes as they prepare to face Bolivia
- They play in the Estadio Hernando Siles, about 3,637 meters above sea level
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The Argentina players have been given personal oxygen tubes to help cope with the high altitude ahead of their match against Bolivia on Tuesday.
The World Cup qualifier will take place at 3,637 meters above sea level at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz. It is one of the highest professional stadiums in the world.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister posted a photo of himself using his oxygen tube in La Paz, while Cristian Romero also held his as he left the team bus.
The Bolivian stadium was briefly unable to host qualifying matches after a FIFA ruling banned stadiums at altitudes above 2,500 meters due to concerns that visiting sides had little time to adapt and suffered significant disadvantages.
Months later, the height limit was increased to 3,000 meters and the Estadio Hernando Siles was given a special exemption.
Argentinian players have been given oxygen tubes ahead of their match against Bolivia in La Paz
However, some controversy has remained over the use of the stadium, with Neymar labeling the conditions as ‘inhumane’ after posting photos of Brazilian players wearing oxygen masks ahead of a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
Apart from height, one of Argentina’s biggest concerns will be Lionel Messi’s fitness.
The Inter Miami star was substituted in the 89th minute of Argentina’s 1-0 win against Ecuador on Thursday after scoring a late free-kick.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed after the match that Messi had ‘sensed something’ and asked to be taken off the pitch.
Messi was then seen leaving the IMAXE medical center on Saturday after undergoing precautionary tests.
However, Messi is still in contention against Bolivia, with Scaloni saying a decision will be made on Monday on whether he will play.
Scaloni said: ‘Messi is going to travel to Bolivia. Today he trained differently, but there are still two days to go until the match and tomorrow we will decide whether he plays or not. The team will be similar to the team that played against Ecuador.”
Lionel Messi is a doubt for the match after being sent off in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador
Manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed after the match that Messi had ‘felt something’ but insisted he would go to Bolivia