CÓRDOBA, Argentina (AP) — Two goals in each half gave Argentina a comfortable 4–0 victory over Bolivia on Wednesday in the team's first match since Lionel Messi announced his international retirement.
Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the 19th minute, Nicolás Paz doubled the lead in the 29th, Cristian Romero added a scored in the 54th and José Manuel “Flaco” López sealed the win in the 86th.
It was a reassuring performance for the Albiceleste, who were returning to action for the first time since their World Cup final defeat to Spain in extra time.
The 39-year-old Messi stepped away from international duty last month, but he will don the iconic No. 10 jersey one last time next Tuesday in a farewell match against Benin in Buenos Aires. Messi played 207 games for Argentina and is its all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, 21 of them in World Cups.
In Messi's absence, “Cuti” Romero captained the side. Before Messi’s final send-off, Argentina will host another friendly against Burkina Faso on Saturday.
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni sits on the bench during an international friendly soccer match against Bolivia in Cordoba, Argentina, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Argentina's Nico Paz celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Bolivia during an international friendly soccer match in Cordoba, Argentina, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
Argentina's Cristian Romero celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Bolivia during an international friendly soccer match in Cordoba, Argentina, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Nicolas Aguilera)
TOYOTA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 30, 2026--
SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading compact eVTOL (*1) aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, announced the appointments of Taiji Ono as executive vice president and head of global business, and Gonzalo Ramos as global commercial officer.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260929818508/en/
Under this new executive leadership structure, SkyDrive will accelerate its preparations for commercial operation and service launches in Japan and around the world, specifically advancing route development and establishing operational frameworks.
Background
SkyDrive has been accelerating aircraft development — including successful high-speed flight tests (*2) — and type certification activities with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (*3). Concurrently, commercialization initiatives are gaining momentum globally.
To date, SkyDrive has partnered with airlines, operators, local governments, and business partners across 10 countries to develop routes and evaluate specific use cases. Aircraft sales efforts are also advancing, with pre-orders and letters of intent (LOIs) totaling 451 aircraft for the SKYDRIVE (SD-05 model).
In the next phase of its expansion, SkyDrive is focusing on establishing specific operational routes across target regions, strengthening strategic partnerships, driving commercial sales contracts, and building post-delivery operational support systems alongside its ongoing aircraft development and certification efforts.
To lead these initiatives, SkyDrive has reinforced its management structure by appointing Ono as executive vice president and Ramos as global commercial officer, both of whom bring extensive track records in global business development and commercial expansion.
Roles and Executive Profiles
Taiji Ono
Executive Vice President, Head of Global Business
Gonzalo Ramos
Global Commercial Officer
Comment from Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive Inc.
"As our aircraft development and certification processes steadily advance, interest and expectations from airlines and operators worldwide are growing rapidly. The coming year represents a pivotal phase for SkyDrive as we convert this momentum into firm commercial orders, sales contracts, and definitive commitments toward commercial operations. We are thrilled to welcome Taiji, who has demonstrated powerful leadership in global business development and public-private collaboration, and Gonzalo, who brings an outstanding commercial track record in the global aviation and mobility sectors. With their leadership, our entire team — including development, certification, and manufacturing — remains dedicated to pioneering new air mobility experiences and accelerating commercialization in Japan and globally."
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive is a Japanese compact eVTOL company aiming "to take the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution." The company began testing eVTOL prototypes in 2014 prior to official incorporation in 2018. Under its future vision for urban transportation, flying in eVTOLs will become a regular part of city life. In 2019, SkyDrive became the first company to fly a crewed eVTOL in Japan. In 2025, the company successfully showcased SKYDRIVE, the company's first commercial eVTOL product, with demonstration flights at the Osaka Expo witnessed by thousands of visitors over a one-month period. SkyDrive began production of SKYDRIVE in March 2024 at a plant owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, SkyDrive's official production partner. SkyDrive has been working with civil aviation authorities in Japan and the U.S. to obtain certification for SKYDRIVE, with the aim of launching the aircraft into service in 2028. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture and led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, an engineer and entrepreneur.
For more information, please visit: https://skydrive.co.jp/en/
Editor’s Notes:
(*1) eVTOL is an abbreviation for electric vertical takeoff and landing. As the name suggests, eVTOL aircraft can take off and land without a runway. eVTOLs are powered by electricity and incorporate advanced, automatic, flight control technology.
(*2) Related Press Release: SkyDrive Reaches 100 km/h Milestone
https://skydrive.co.jp/en/news/71605/
(*3) Related Press Releases:
SkyDrive Reaches Agreement with Japan’s Civil Aviation Authority on its General Certification Plan, a Core Element of the Type Certification Process
https://skydrive.co.jp/en/news/17834/
SkyDrive Commences Formal Familiarization Meetings with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
https://skydrive.co.jp/en/news/72613/
Taiji Ono (Left) and Gonzalo Ramos (Right)
