Argentina vs. Bolivia: Everything You Need to Know Before the Big Clash

A charged international break for Argentina kicks off with a friendly against CONMEBOL counterparts Bolivia, with the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba serving as the venue.

The looming retirement of Lionel Messi is hanging over the upcoming friendlies, following the 39-year-old's near-single-handed role in guiding the defending champions to World Cup glory this past summer.

Argentina was ultimately outplayed by Spain in the final, and the conduct of its players in the aftermath — which led to extended bans for Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina — sparked widespread condemnation across the soccer community.

Messi will ride off into the sunset next week, and there's a palpable sense that the beaten World Cup finalists are entering a new era. Lionel Scaloni, the architect of the team's success this decade, remains in charge and is open to extending his contract, which runs out at year's end. He has performed miracles with a national side that struggled to break through for so long, yet has rarely had to endure defeat during his reign.

Argentina's extraordinary resilience was on full display at the World Cup, where near-eliminations were repeatedly narrowly avoided before Ferran Torres scored against 10 men to knock out the controversial holders at MetLife Stadium.

Argentina vs. Bolivia Score Prediction

No Messi, No Problem

Argentina's fixture list has been noticeably unimpressive on both sides of the World Cup. The Albiceleste faced little elite-level competition heading into the summer tournament, and only Messi's farewell is generating significant interest in their upcoming matches.

Modest opposition awaits Argentina, beginning with 77th-ranked Bolivia. While visits to La Paz can challenge even the finest sides, Bolivia is a poor performer away from home, making this an ideal chance for a Messi-free Argentina to reassure anxious fans that the future remains bright without the man who has been their beacon of hope for nearly two decades.

Prediction: Argentina 3–0 Bolivia

Argentina Predicted Lineup vs. Bolivia

Scaloni named a 28-man squad for Argentina's three friendlies during this international window, including the departing Messi, who announced his retirement from international duty following the World Cup.

We'll get a preview of a Messi-less Argentina over the coming week against Bolivia and Burkina Faso before he makes his farewell appearance at a sold-out Estadio Monumental against Benin.

Juan Foyth and Thiago Almada have been forced to pull out of Scaloni's squad through injury, while Nicolás Tagliafico is managing a muscle problem but has not been ruled out of Wednesday's fixture.

Cristian Romero has been appointed as Messi's successor in the captaincy and is expected to wear the armband here. Other senior squad members, including Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso, will join their teammates for Messi's farewell match next week.

Argentina predicted lineup vs. Bolivia (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Giay, Romero, Li. Martínez, Medina; Simeone, Mac Allister, Fernández, González; Paz, La. Martínez.

What Time Does Argentina vs. Bolivia Kick Off?

How to Watch Argentina vs. Bolivia on TV, Live Stream