Bolivian Marcelo Martins Moreno (Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 36 years old) is the third historical scorer of the South American qualifiers despite the fact that his team qualified for only one World Cup in 17 attempts. The 2026 World Cup will be the fifth qualifier for the Bolivia captain, his last chance. But Martins has started it a little angry. Bolivia, which plays Argentina on Tuesday in the city of La Paz, has been paralyzed to receive the last world champion. La Paz residents have cut streets and climbed mountains to see Lionel Messi and company, have sold out tickets for the game in unprecedented time, and even the mayor's office has displayed welcome posters for Argentines. "We cannot support two teams," warned the Bolivian captain in the pre-match, "We saw how they supported the Argentine national team when they arrived. On that subject... After the game we're going to talk."
Bolivia has not played in a World Cup since 1994, and the six and a half spots that will be distributed among the ten South American teams for the next one are a renewed hope. The team already lost 5-1 against Brazil in its first match, but knows that it is strong at home in the 3,600 meters above sea level of La Paz. In that location rests his greatest football pride: in April 2009, Bolivia beat Argentina 6-1 led by Diego Maradona in Messi's first visit to the country. That afternoon, Martins scored first.
Bolivian striker Marcelo Martins Moreno, on Monday during a press conference in La Paz.LUIS GANDARILLAS (EFE)
Bolivians used to remember the feat during every visit that the Argentine national team, but this year things have changed. Hundreds of Bolivian fans waited for the rivals Sunday night at El Alto airport, about a 40-minute drive from downtown La Paz, and on Monday, another handful scaled the slopes surrounding The Strongest's stadium in the south of the city to watch Argentine training. Tickets for the match sold out in a single day at the end of July, a fact that the Bolivian Football Federation celebrated as a record. "Bolivia has no level! Better to support the one who is going to win, "summarized a young Bolivian in an interview with the Argentine channel TyC Sports. He was wearing the jersey of Messi's new team, Inter Miami.
Not all Bolivians have surrendered to the rival, and Messimania has divided fans in the city of La Paz. The fury of the detractors has been concentrated against the mayor of La Paz, Iván Arias, for a mural and a couple of banners that his Government unfurled to receive the world champions. "Messi, you're great" and "Welcome, champions", were the messages of the La Paz government to the Argentine team. The issue became a political agenda on Tuesday: rising to the wave of criticism, a municipal councilor announced that she would initiate an investigation into where the funds for the banners came from, another went to the Municipal Palace to give him the shirt of the Bolivian team, and demanded: "That the jacket of the Bolivians be placed and not that of the Argentines." Arias ended up defending himself before the press. "No public resources have been spent, it was a contribution from a private company," he said. "Today you will see posters alluding to our selection."
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