World Cup 2026: Why is Messi not starting in Argentina's group-stage clash against Jordan?

Lionel Messi volition not commencement Argentina's last radical crippled against Jordan astatine the 2026 World Cup.

Messi has made an awesome commencement to Argentina's trophy defence, having scored each 5 of his country's goals successful the tourney truthful far.

The 39-year-old netted a hat-trick successful the 3-0 triumph implicit Algeria, earlier scoring doubly successful the 2-0 triumph against Austria to go the World Cup's all-time starring scorer. 

Messi's five-goal haul sent Argentina done to the Round of 32 and secured apical spot successful Group J with a crippled to spare.

Lionel Scaloni's broadside volition wrapper up the radical signifier with a clash against Jordan astatine 9pm section clip connected Saturday and 3am BST connected Sunday morning.

Messi to driblet retired of lineup for Jordan clash

However, fans expecting to spot Argentina's prima antheral successful the starting lineup volition beryllium near disappointed. 

That is due to the fact that Scaloni has already stated that Messi volition commencement the crippled connected the bench, but crucially for Argentina, it is simply a method determination alternatively than owed to immoderate wounded concerns.

The Argentina brag is seemingly keen to negociate Messi's workload and usage the crippled arsenic an accidental to springiness different players the accidental to start. 

"Leo volition astir apt travel connected successful the 2nd half," Scaloni said arsenic per BBC Sport.

"We talked and agreed that it was amended that way, but evidently it's besides bully for him to enactment successful competitory form."

Sensible determination arsenic knockout rounds loom

The determination to usage Messi from the seat volition disappoint supporters successful attendance successful Dallas, but it is simply a sensible attack up of a knockout signifier that features an other round.

There is nary uncertainty astir Messi's prime astatine this precocious signifier successful his career; however, his carnal information volition beryllium tested if Argentina spell heavy successful the competition, particularly aft helium struggled with a insignificant injury earlier the tournament.

Restricting Messi to a substitute quality against Jordan means helium volition bask immoderate remainder portion inactive maintaining important lucifer sharpness up of the Round of 32 necktie against Cape Verde.