Lionel Messi to start on bench for Argentina against Jordan
ESPN Soccer • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 26, 2026, 11:26 PM
Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Lionel Messi will not start for Argentina in their Group J match against Jordan on Saturday night. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Messi, who is the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, will begin the game on the bench but is expected to come on later. This decision comes after Messi scored all five of Argentina's goals in their opening two matches of the tournament. He also recently celebrated his 39th birthday and had been managing a minor hamstring injury prior to the World Cup. The match serves as Argentina's last before the knockout stage begins next Friday.
- •Messi scored all five goals for Argentina in previous matches.
- •Argentina secured Group J with earlier victories.
- •The match against Jordan is in Arlington, Texas.
- •Knockout stage begins for Argentina next Friday.
- •Messi dealt with a minor hamstring injury prior to the World Cup.
- 1:31 AMESPN Soccer — Messi to start on bench for Argentina group finale...
- 11:26 PMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi won't start Argentina's group finale, but World Cup scoring record holder could sub in
"Lionel Messi, the top scorer in World Cup history, will not start when defending tournament champion and Group J winner Argentina plays Jordan on Saturday night in its last match before the knockout stage. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi's 39th birthday, that Messi will begin the game on the bench, but also indicated that he “will come in a little bit later.” Scaloni didn't say when Messi might substitute into the match, or what his lineup would be against first-time World Cup participant Jordan.
"Lionel Messi will start Argentina's final group stage match against Jordan on Saturday from the substitutes' bench, coach Lionel Scaloni said.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerJun 27, 2026, 1:31 AMMessi to start on bench for Argentina group finale...
Lionel Messi will start Argentina's final group stage match against Jordan on Saturday from the substitutes' bench, coach Lionel Scaloni said.
- Yahoo SportsJun 26, 2026, 11:26 PMLionel Messi won't start Argentina's group finale, but World Cup scoring record holder could sub in
Lionel Messi, the top scorer in World Cup history, will not start when defending tournament champion and Group J winner Argentina plays Jordan on Saturday night in its last match before the knockout stage. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi's 39th birthday, that Messi will begin the game on the bench, but also indicated that he “will come in a little bit later.” Scaloni didn't say when Messi might substitute into the match, or what his lineup would be against first-time World Cup participant Jordan.
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