LA PAZ (AFP) — Bolivian President Evo Morales donned his shorts Saturday to help second division league outfit Litoral see off Municipal 4-1.
Morales, a vocal opponent of FIFA's attempts to prevent the Andean nation playing World Cup qualifiers at high altitude in La Paz, is a lifelong fan of the game and had long dreamed of a slice of league action.
The president, who last year was photographed in his kit and kicking a ball high up in the mountains as part of his campaign to force a FIFA rethink, played the first half wearing the number 10 shirt beloved of fans across Latin America and worn not least by Pele and Diego Maradona.
The 49-year-old just about kept pace with teammates more than 20 years younger, most of them young police cadets.
He even came close to a goal with a shot just off target.
Bolivia have traditionally played many of their qualifiers at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, 3,600 metres above sea level and rivals including Brazil have on occasion struggled to acclimatise to the conditions.
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