He is one of the very best players in history, but with his country he has more pans than accomplishments.
Lionel Messi, with 139 caps for Argentina, hopes to progress in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup this Tuesday (10 p.m.), with a trip to Bolivia.
Problem: the match will take place in La Paz.
The Bolivian city is the highest capital in the world, culminating at 3,650 meters above sea level.
A real nightmare for visitors, and the six-fold Ballon d'Or knows something about it.
It was a parenthesis in a dream season for Messi.
In April 2009, the Barcelonan was called to duty by his selection.
He will win all the trophies possible with Barca that year, under the aegis of Pep Guardiola.
But he also had one of the most embarrassing moments of his career on April 1.
Argentina, of which he already established himself as the technical leader, suffered one of the worst humiliations in its history in Bolivia, beaten 6-1 in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. The players of the Albiceleste were suffocated by high altitude.
Literally.
Messi's legendary goal at La Maradona against Getafe in 2007
The 6-1 defeat, the fault of Maradona?
That day, Lionel Messi met his “kryptonite” as the daily
La Nacion
tells it
, a reference to the material that deprives Superman of these powers.
"Personally, I think it is impossible to play here, although there are other players who come to play there", lamented Messi after the match.
La Pulga could blame its illustrious predecessor and coach, Diego Maradona.
The latter, a close friend of President Evo Morales, had participated in a friendly meeting in Bolivia in 2008, in order to encourage Fifa to authorize again that matches be played at an altitude of more than 2,750 meters.
A heresy at the sight of the result for Argentina the following year.
And it didn't stop there.
"A player can die in La Paz"
William Ramalo, Bolivian player
In 2013, the Albiceleste set foot in La Paz.
Lionel Messi, crowned with four Ballons d'Or, is now the captain.
He and his team deliver an honorable performance and concede a draw (1-1).
But local media report that the Barcelonan vomited at half-time, still disturbed by the altitude.
Some players, including Angel Di Maria, have even resorted to an oxygen mask.
"A player can die in La Paz," said Fernando Signorini, Argentine physical trainer dramatically.
The Hernando Ciles stadium will therefore be scrutinized from all over this Tuesday.
Argentina set foot there again in 2017 and bowed (2-0), but it was without Messi, suspended.
"The player who has already played at altitude has the physiological advantage of remembering the suffering experienced, but it was the first time that Messi played in 2010 and he was not prepared", explained William Ramalo to
La Nacion
, scorer during the famous 6-1.
This time, Argentina arrived in La Paz two days before the game.
The minimum to give yourself a chance to exist in the Bolivian hell.
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