Messi to start on bench for Argentina group finale...

Lizzy BecheranoJun 26, 2026, 08:28 PM ET

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Lionel Messi will start Argentina's final group stage match against Jordan on Saturday from the substitutes' bench, coach Lionel Scaloni said.

"Leo will be a substitute tomorrow, to play later. We'll announce the team tomorrow," Scaloni said during Friday's news conference ahead of the game at AT&T Stadium.

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Argentina have already qualified for the round of 32 as winners of Group J after defeating Algeria and Austria. The 2022 champions are set to face the Group H runners-up, Cape Verde, next Friday in Miami.

"The decision of who starts tomorrow is not in relation to the opponent we'll face in the next round," Scaloni added.

Messi stands as the team's lone goal scorer in this tournament, netting five goals in the first two matches to break the record for most goals in men's World Cup history at 18. He scored a hat trick against Algeria before going on to net two more against Austria.

The Inter Miami star currently leads the race for the Golden Boot.

Messi had been dealing with a minor hamstring injury that slowed him in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez could be the only regular starter in a lineup that could feature several new faces. Nico Paz, who made his World Cup debut subbing in for Messi late in the opener against Algeria, is now expected to start in his place.

"The hope is that the team will play the same way. That's what we're going to try to do," Scaloni said.

"Jordan is a good opponent, and we're not taking anything for granted. We'll try to tweak some aspects of the last match, but with the same intention of controlling the ball and dominating the opponent."

After facing Jordan, Argentina will head to Miami for their round of 32 clash.