Lionel Messi injury fears continue as Argentina’s coach reveals Inter Miami star ‘did not feel comfortable’ to play in Bolivia – and adds it was difficult for the star, 36, to play at altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level

Lionel Messi’s time with the Argentina national team has come to an abrupt end as the captain was left out of the squad for La Albiceleste’s match against Bolivia.

Messi did not brave the thin air of the Estadio Hernando Siles, 3,637 meters (11,932 feet) above sea level, and he is likely to return to Miami soon.

When asked, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni simply said his captain was not in a position to be on the pitch.

‘Leo wasn’t ready to play yet. Yesterday he was trying to recover and he didn’t feel comfortable. We didn’t take the risk,” the Albiceleste coach said of La Pulga’s absence.

Scaloni added: “It wasn’t necessary because there are important things coming up.”

Argentina didn’t need Messi anyway, as the World Cup winners could easily beat Bolivia 3-0 in the away match.

That victory, coupled with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador a few days ago, now sees Argentina climb to the top of CONMEBOL’s treacherous World Cup qualifying table.

The only goal in that victory was scored by Messi – who started the match at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Now he will return to the United States to try to get fit in time for a weekend match against Atlanta United.

Inter Miami are now looking to get ahead of the MLS Cup Playoffs – currently six points out of a Wild Card spot and twelve points outside of automatic qualification.