Argentina beats Bolivia 4-0 in its first match since Lionel Messi’s international retirement – WTOP News
Argentina scored twice in each half as Cristian Romero captained the side in Lionel Messi's absence.
- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni appointed Cristian 'Cuti' Romero as the new captain, confirming the 28-year-old Atletico Madrid defender will succeed Lionel Messi following his international retirement.
- Romero has previously captained Argentina in matches against Venezuela, Mauritania, and Chile, demonstrating the on-field leadership that prompted Scaloni to select him as permanent successor.
- "There is Emiliano Martinez, who can also wear the armband," Scaloni said, acknowledging Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez as capable leaders but emphasizing Romero is the "right one."
- Argentina prepares for friendlies against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin, with Messi set to don the No. 10 jersey one last time next Tuesday in Buenos Aires.
- The selection signals a transition toward the 2026 World Cup cycle, with Scaloni aiming to integrate fresh talent into a sturdy core as Argentina moves beyond the Messi era.
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Lautaro Martínez (19'), Nicolás Paz (29'), Cristian Romero (53') and José "Flaco" López (86') scored the goals of the Albiceleste, which faced the match without Lionel Messi after the captain announced his withdrawal from the selection. The rosary star will have his farewell on October 6 in a friendly face against Benin. The duel against Bolivia also offered a look at the future of the Argentine team. With Messi already removed from the national…
In the first friendly of a FIFA date marked by the withdrawal of La Pulga de la Albiceleste (which will be next Tuesday 6), the runner-up of the world scored 4-0 to the altiplanánicos, in Córdoba. The figure was Nico Paz.
Argentina beats Bolivia 4-0 in its first match since Lionel Messi’s international retirement – WTOP News
CÓRDOBA, Argentina (AP) — Two goals in each half gave Argentina a comfortable 4–0 victory over Bolivia on Wednesday in the team's first match since Lionel Messi
In its first game after being vice-champion of the World Cup, Argentina did not count on Lionel Messi, but saw the young promise Nico Paz command and Flaco López score for the first time in the goal for 4 to 0 against Bolivia, in friendly contested at the State
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