Messi wary of thin air in Bolivia

Lionel Messi said Argentina will be wary of the threat posed by the altitude of La Paz when they meet Bolivia here in Tuesday’s football World Cup qualifier for 2014 Brazil.

Argentina lead the South American zone standings with 23 points from 10 games and victory here will all but book their place at next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Messi revealed he is still tormented by the memory of Bolivia’s 6-1 victory over Argentina in 2009.

“That is the only experience I have at that sort of altitude and it was terrible,” Messi said of playing at almost 4,000M above sea level.

“You exert yourself and never recover. It was a really difficult game for us and for that reason we are trying our best to make it a better result this time,’’ he added.

Bolivia's captain Ronald Raldes, a central defender for Argentine first division side Colon, said he expected Alejandro Sabella's Argentina to be better prepared for the high altitude this time.

"Bolivia played a great game (in 2009), one that every player wants to have. Argentina didn't have a good day and we took advantage," Raldes said.

In other South American qualifiers on Tuesday, Ecua-dor will take on Paraguay, Venezuela will be up against Colombia and Chile take on Uruguay.