ARGENTINA captain Lionel Messi will start on the bench against Jordan in the defending champions' final Group J fixture on Saturday, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed as he prepares to rotate his squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds.
Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's campaign, scoring all five of the team's goals in victories over Algeria and Austria to secure top spot in the group with one match to spare.
"Leo will start on the bench," Reuters cited Scaloni saying when responding to a question from 91-year-old veteran Argentine radio journalist Enrique Macaya Márquez, who is covering his 18th FIFA World Cup.
"I'll answer because you deserve an honest answer.
"Leo will come on a little later."
Despite already guaranteeing first place in Group J, Scaloni dismissed suggestions that he would field a weakened side, insisting every player selected had earned the opportunity to represent Argentina.
"The players who will play tomorrow deserve to play. They are part of this squad.
"Everything we do in training is for them. That's why we're here. They have always shown commitment even when they haven't been selected.
"I want every player to have minutes whenever the opportunity arises because they are excellent footballers.
"My dream as a coach is for the team to maintain the same level regardless of who is on the pitch.
"When you wear the national shirt, it doesn't matter whether the match is decisive or not. You always give everything to win.
"Nothing changes. We approach this game exactly as we did from the first day," he said.
Argentina face a Jordan side already eliminated after losing both of their opening matches in their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
Scaloni expects Jordan to adopt a defensive approach.
"Jordan usually play with five defenders and we are prepared to adapt if we encounter difficulties.
"We may have to do something different depending on the way our opponents play," he added. - June 27, 2026
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