ARLINGTON, Texas — Lionel Messi will start on the bench for Argentina’s final World Cup group-stage match against Jordan on Saturday as coach Lionel Scaloni opts to rest several key players ahead of the knockout rounds.
Scaloni confirmed Friday that the Argentina captain, who turned 39 earlier this week, is expected to feature later in the match but will not be in the starting lineup.
“He will come in a little bit later,” Scaloni said through an interpreter, without revealing when the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer would enter the game.
Already qualified for the round of 32 as Group J winners, defending champion Argentina is prioritizing freshness ahead of the knockout stage, which begins next week.
Messi has been the standout performer of the tournament so far, scoring all five of Argentina’s goals in victories over Algeria and Austria. His first World Cup hat trick against Algeria saw him equal Miroslav Klose’s long-standing tournament scoring record of 16 goals before his brace against Austria lifted him to a record 18 career World Cup goals.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has also scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, joining Just Fontaine and Jairzinho as the only players to achieve the feat.
Scaloni suggested several regular starters will also be rested against Jordan, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez potentially the only first-choice player to retain his place in the starting lineup.
Midfielder Nicolás Paz, who made his World Cup debut as a substitute for Messi against Algeria, is expected to make his first start for La Albiceleste.
“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.”
Messi arrived at the tournament after managing a minor hamstring issue with Inter Miami, but he has shown no signs of discomfort during Argentina’s opening two matches.
With Argentina potentially facing five knockout matches over a 17-day period if it reaches another World Cup final, Scaloni appears determined to carefully manage the workload of his veteran captain.
Jordan, making its World Cup debut, has already been eliminated after losing its opening two group matches but will be looking to end its historic first appearance at the tournament on a positive note against the reigning champions.
Argentina is aiming to finish the group stage with a perfect record for the first time since the 2014 World Cup.
Source: Saudi Gazette