Argentina coach will save Lionel Messi for the last group stage game against Jordan
Coach Lionel Scaloni decided that Lionel Messi will start on the bench in Argentina's final group stage game against Jordan, aiming to preserve the player for the next challenges.
Lionel Messi will start on the bench in Argentina's match against Jordan, which closes the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. The Argentines, defending the title, started the competition in spectacular fashion, counting on the incredible performance of Messi, who has already scored five goals in two victories, against Algeria and Austria.
The Argentine star is the main candidate to win the Golden Shoe this year, leading with a goal ahead of the French Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. Furthermore, Messi, with 18 goals, is ahead of Mbappé, who has 16 and is also the top scorer in the history of the tournament. However, this brand could be threatened, as Lionel Scaloni opted to preserve the 39-year-old player for the duel against Jordan.
"Leo Messi will be on the bench against Jordan. He will have minutes in the second half", stated Scaloni, confirming the strategy to keep the player in shape for the next challenges of the competition.
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