Why Lionel Messi and His Argentina Teammates Arrived in Bolivia With Oxygen Tubes
- Lionel Messi made the team to Bolivia for their second World Cup qualifier game
- Argentinabeat Ecuador 1-0 in the first game thanks to Messi's second-half freekick
- Fans have noticed an unusual item with the players on arrival in La Paz, Bolivia
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Argentina players have arrived in La Paz, Bolivia, ahead of their second 2026 World Cupqualifier game, and fans have noticed an unusual item with Lionel Messi and his teammates.
The worldchampions opened their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador thanks to Messi's second-half freekick. The world champions need to be in the US, Mexico and Canada to defend the title they won in Qatar, and a winning start was crucial.
Their second game, however, poses a significant challenge, not because of the opponents but because of the location and the conditions associated with the geography.
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Football Why Argentina players have oxygen tubesLa Albiceleste stars travel in their usual attire with water bottles and mate tea flasks, but their trip to Bolivia had an extra item.
As spotted by AlbicelesteTalk, Argentina players were pictured arriving in La Paz with mini oxygen tubes. Alexis Mac Allister, Cuti Romero and Nicolas Otamendi were pictured with the tubes in hand as they alighted from the team bus.
Bolivia is a difficult place to play due to the high altitude of about 11,942 feet above sea level, which causes altitude sickness due to the low oxygen level. The tubes are to help provide oxygen and aid acclimatisation.
As reposted by BR Football, Brazil's national team players required oxygen after their 0-0 draw in La
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