Argentina lineup vs. Austria: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 Group J game as Lionel Scaloni aims to platform Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi volition request the right antiaircraft enactment down him successful bid to pb Argentina to the World Cup knockouts erstwhile they look Austria connected Monday.

The playmaker managed to people 3 times successful his side's opener against Algeria connected Wednesday, but the 38-year-old indispensable surrounded by energetic players successful gameweek two.

Boss Lionel Scaloni has antecedently deployed a midfield 4 to compensate for Messi's ageing legs, and determination is nary crushed to uncertainty the inclusion of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Thiago Almada this clip around.

The skipper volition besides request a consenting runner up of him, and the cleanable enactment could beryllium Inter Milan's Lautaro Martínez.

Gonzalo Montiel started astatine right-back against Algeria, but fixed helium is dealing with a hamstring problem, the little risky prime would beryllium to play Nahuel Molina connected the close broadside of defence.

Facundo Medina was a menace each crippled past clip out, and his rampaging runs from left-back could beryllium cardinal connected Monday.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is inactive Argentina's fig one, but contempt his qualities, helium volition person to anticipation that centre-backs Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez are astatine their best.

Argentina imaginable starting lineup:

E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, La Martinez

> Click present to spot however Austria could enactment up against Argentina