Lionel Messi will start Argentina’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J match against Jordan on the bench, head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed.
Softfootball understands Scaloni revealed in his pre-match press conference that the Argentina captain will begin as a substitute before being introduced later in the game.
The decision comes with Argentina already through to the Round of 32 as Group J winners after victories over Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0). The reigning world champions will face Group H runners-up Cape Verde in the next round.
Messi has enjoyed a sensational start to the tournament, scoring all five of Argentina’s goals so far. The Inter Miami star netted a hat-trick against Algeria before adding a brace against Austria, taking his tally to a record-breaking 18 goals in men’s FIFA World Cup history.
The 39-year-old had been managing a minor left hamstring issue in the build-up to the tournament, with Argentina opting to manage his workload ahead of the knockout stages.
