With Argentina having little to lose, should Messi face Bolivia?

Argentina have so far been able to grind out the results in the Copa America but with quarterfinals fast approaching, should he really be in the playing eleven?

In his opening three games, Messi has got his country off to an impressive start, with a goal and an assist, as well as being involved in virtually everything good for Argentina. But despite his attacking output being as reliable as ever, he looked visibly drained in the last match against Paraguay.

He played 90 minutes in three very tough, high-intensity matches all in just a week, and a maximum of one goal separated each of those games. Messi had previously mentioned that he does not like being replaced in a match but with an international trophy on the line, his preference may have to take a back seat with the quarter-finals beginning just four days after the Bolivia match and the semis potentially looming in three days after that.

Argentina played Paraguay on the 22nd of June, meaning that sitting out the Bolivia match will see him get two full weeks of rest, however conditioning during a tournament is necessary and in that regard Messi will have the option to come off the bench if needed against Bolivia. Messi so far has played in every minute of his side's matches and although Argentine media reported that there will be rotations to preserve the players, they also said that Messi and Angel Di Maria do not want to rest.

Argentina team training. Photo: AFA Twitter

La Pulga and Di Maria could play alongside Sergio Aguero or Joaquin Correa. Angel Correa could also be used in the offensive department in place of Messi or Di Maria.

Even as losing to Bolivia would be considered a huge upset for Argentina, the lowest they could finish in the group is second, since Uruguay and Paraguay play each other on the final day as well. Finishing second is still enough to keep them on the right side of the bracket, simply put, the one which doesn't contain Brazil.

The Argentina team meanwhile are set to leave for Brazil tomorrow following a practice session at home. After facing Bolivia, the squad will return to the country and will not wait on Brazilian soil for the quarterfinal duel, which for now would be vs. Ecuador on Saturday July 3, in Goiania.