Everywhere you look, the voice of Marco Antonio 'El Diablo' Etcheverry echoes in the highland country. He was the 10th player in the last Bolivian national team to wear its colours at the most important football event, qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in the USA, and was a teammate of Oscar Villegas, the current coach of La Verde.
That's why, just hours before the 'final' against Iraq, the 'Diablo' spoke to Flashscore about what this moment represents for his people and what could take place in this World Cup.
Bolivia is one game away from returning to the World Cup. What does this represent for your country?
"Bolivia is going through difficult times, both socio-economically and politically, and qualifying for the World Cup would be a huge relief for the people, especially because it would mean total happiness.
"People are crazy here, waiting for the match. Qualifying for the World Cup would help Bolivians a lot to increase their self-esteem, their hope and their will to go on living. To qualify for the World Cup at this time would be extraordinary for the country."
What identity does Oscar Villegas' national team have?
"Osquitar has given a very nice identity to players with a lot of talent, players with a lot of attitude. To be able to face Brazil, a world champion Argentina and such important teams in South America with personality is important because the qualifiers are very tough.
"These boys responded in a great way, facing this unique moment that the Bolivian people are going through, which is to be one step away from the World Cup."
You were a teammate of Professor Villegas at Bolívar. Was that leadership already evident when you were a player?
"We were teammates with Oscar from a very young age, also in the U-23 team that played in the Pre-Olympics. We have a very good friendship. He's a great person, very responsible, very professional, and used to working with youngsters.
"He brought a lot of talent out of the country, and he has a very nice opportunity that football has given him, which is to be at this stage to qualify for the World Cup."
What do you consider to be the biggest risk in the match against Iraq?
"What is not known. Unfortunately, almost nobody has any information about Iraq, so you have to look everywhere for information, and perhaps that's the most difficult thing you can see at the moment.
"It's a bit unexpected what has happened (facing Iraq), but the technical staff has probably already spent some time researching and analysing Iraqi football. So we hope it won't come as a surprise and that Bolivia can pull off the match."
Today, Guillermo Viscarra, goalkeeper of Alianza Lima, wears the number one jersey for La Verde. How do you analyse your current position in the Bolivian goal?
"Billy was my goalkeeper in the U-18 team here in Santa Cruz. We were champions with him. He's like a son to me, so I'm very fond of him. I'm excited to see him at a club as big as Alianza, having good performances and making people love him.
"I hope he shines and, if it's his turn, that he avoids every goalscoring situation there is. I hope he does wonderfully."
Where does the Bolivian league currently stand to compete, and what can be done to ensure that this eventual qualification is not an isolated case?
"I think the Bolivian league was put in the situation we are in, along with Venezuela, Chile and Peru. It is an alarming situation. Our football is not the best in South America. We are seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th.
"So we do have to improve, as Ecuador and Colombia have done, or as Paraguay, who are already regulars in the World Cups, are doing. Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru and Chile have to make a comeback. There are very talented players. We have to unite and support everyone: officials, fans and journalists."
Regarding the Bolivian national team, is your goal to become president of the federation?
"Not at all. My thing is to be on the field, on the pitch, in contact with the player, everything that has to do with that green rectangle."
Does this new 48-team World Cup do you any good or does it take away from the level of competition?
"I don't really like it. It's not so special any more, in the sense that it used to be difficult to get to this stage, to be among the best teams in the world. I think they've exaggerated it, but you have to respect that.
"In South America, for example, there are seven out of 10 that qualify, and there are only three out. I think that's exaggerated."
There is a lot of talk about the heat in Mexico and the United States: can the weather be a decisive factor?
"It's very uncomfortable to play in the heat, but with today's technology, most stadiums are covered, and I saw that at the World Cup in Qatar (2002), because I was cold in the stadium because of the air conditioning. I don't think it will be a problem for the players in that sense."
For you, who are the favourites?
"Argentina and Brazil are always at the top, and now France and Spain. They are very big powers. I think the title will be decided between those four."
Do you feel that this World Cup will be seen as the last of Messi and Cristiano or the start of the revelations like Lamine Yamal with Spain?
"It has both. We are going to say goodbye to two incredible human beings who totally changed football with their sporting rivalry. They took football to another level, and we have to make the most of their last games."
Let's talk about MLS, a tournament that has stars such as Messi, James Rodriguez, Thomas Muller, among others. Do you consider the tournament to be competitive on a global level?
"It almost always has been. I was the Inter-American champion with DC United. We beat Vasco da Gama, who were the Libertadores champions. People who don't have such high self-esteem, of course, always criticise the number one country in the world, where they don't delay salaries, they pay you for sure on the 14th and 29th of every month.
"Everything is scheduled a year in advance. The trips are luxury, the hotels are luxury, the stadiums are luxury. I don't think any country in South America is up to the level of how they play and the conditions they have.
"Do you think Messi agreed to two more years just because he likes the shirt? It's because it's the best place to play football. You have security for your family, you know you will always be paid, the level is very high."
Which version of Messi do you think we will see: a full-blooded Messi with the backing of MLS or will there be an age-related wear and tear?
"Since his arrival in MLS, Messi has won titles, but he has also lost a lot of games. It means there are teams that are better off. But Messi has knocked out Mexican clubs that are great teams, and he's going to get to the World Cup the way he's going to get to the World Cup at his age.
"It's not the same as when he started playing for Barcelona in 2005, but I don't think it will diminish his football either. If anything, I see him as more comfortable."
Undoubtedly the league has changed, what is the difference between your time and the current MLS?
"It has totally changed. Football has totally changed. I remember a coach telling me that technology was going to change it (football) a lot, and it's true.
"The doctors know how you have to eat the week before you arrive in a city, how you have to hydrate yourself, etc. Today's footballers are machines, it's getting harder and harder to play football."
If you were playing today, would you stay in MLS or look for Europe?
"I played in Europe and it's no better than the United States, I can tell you that."