Lionel Scaloni confirms Lionel Messi will be benched against Jordan
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has announced that Lionel Messi will start on the bench for the final group-stage match, allowing rotation for the wider squad.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bryan Berlin
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that captain Lionel Messi will start on the bench for the team's final group-stage match against Jordan in Dallas. With their place in the knockout rounds already secured, the manager has opted to manage the veteran's workload.
Breaking from his usual policy of keeping team news private, Scaloni explained that he intends for Messi to feature during the second half. The decision is aimed at providing valuable minutes to squad members who have seen less action, ensuring the entire group remains prepared for the upcoming knockout stages.
Lionel Messi will be on the bench, but I'm telling you because it's you. Messi will most likely play the second half. It's a decision primarily made so that his teammates can also get playing time. Lionel Scaloni
Scaloni emphasized that the players coming in deserve their opportunity and that the team's objective is to maintain its identity regardless of personnel changes. He also noted that deploying both Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez in the attack is an option, provided the team maintains its tactical balance.
Regarding the fitness of defender Cristian Romero, Scaloni provided a positive update, stating that the player's injury is not as serious as initially feared following intensive individual training. Argentina is now looking ahead to their round of 32 clash against Cape Verde, scheduled for July 3 in Miami.