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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="betting-e2">{"type":"betting-e2","data":{"key":{"mobile":"fb9f812b41240655c161bb3d4ad2cf3f","desktop":"671024543858da3e0dfea5d9450ab1a4"}}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>All-time great rested for trip to La Paz</li><li>Opted against returning to the States</li><li>Stayed on to support his team-mates</li></ul>

'An absolute leader’  - Rodrigo de Paul reveals Lionel Messi missed son Mateo’s birthday to sit on the bench for Argentina in Bolivia 2026 World Cup qualifier

<p>The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part for his country in their latest 2026 World Cup qualifier, with the decision taken to rest him after a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/believe-how-lionel-messi-made-inter-miami-winners-even-when-isnt-playing/blt4a3c5efa3fddd6b0" target="_blank">hectic few weeks at new club side Inter Miami</a> and a slight knock being picked up. Messi could have opted to head home and be with his family once it was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/height-kills-him-psychologically-lionel-messi-argentina-world-cup-qualifier-two-worst-games-bolivia/blt92393915b2025a6b" target="_blank">determined that he would sit out proceedings in La Paz</a>, but he remained with Lionel Scaloni’s squad as a talismanic presence in the Albiceleste ranks.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Rodrigo de Paul has saluted Messi’s decision not to return to the United States for birthday celebrations. He has told <a href="https://www.tycsports.com/seleccion-argentina/otra-leccion-de-messi-pero-sin-jugar-el-compromiso-conmovedor-que-valora-toda-la-seleccion-argentina-id535250.html " target="_blank"><em>TyC Sports</em></a>: “Messi is an absolute leader and an example of love and care for the team. He could have gone away and enjoyed Mateo’s birthday, but yet he came here.”</p>

WHAT THEY SAID

<p>Emiliano Martinez <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/emi-martinez-lionel-messi-argentina-squad-bolivia-clash-injury/bltf7c190b5213ee100" target="_blank">added on seeing Messi stick around</a> in the Argentina camp: “There is hunger. He could have gone home but he accompanied us, that is a source of pride for us.” Long-time international colleague Angel di Maria said of the all-time great keeping himself in contention for game time if he was needed: “He tried to play until the last day.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Defending champions <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/lionel-messi-angel-di-maria-enzo-fernandez-inter-miami-argentina-world-cup-qualifying-win-bolivia/blt3cc558cc9609dbc0" target="_blank">Argentina collected a 3-0 victory without Messi</a>, maintaining their perfect start to qualification for the next World Cup, and he will now head back to Florida ahead of Inter Miami returning to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/will-lionel-messi-play-inter-miami-atlanta-united-mls-argentina/blt55a4b501d4c65512" target="_blank">MLS action on Saturday away at Atlanta United</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

'An absolute leader’  - Rodrigo de Paul reveals Lionel Messi missed son Mateo’s birthday to sit on the bench for Argentina in Bolivia 2026 World Cup qualifier | Goal.com South Africa

Lionel Messi has been branded an “absolute leader” after missing son Mateo’s birthday in order to sit on the bench for Argentina in Bolivia.

&apos;An absolute leader’  - Rodrigo de Paul reveals Lionel Messi missed son Mateo’s birthday to sit on the bench for Argentina in Bolivia 2026 World Cup qualifier

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