It's crunch time for Lionel Messi and Argentina as they prepare to take on Jordan in their final World Cup group stage encounter - and it seems the world's greatest footballer will be warming up from the bench. Manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Messi, who leads the Golden Boot standings with an impressive five goals from just two matches, will start from the substitutes' bench.
Messi, aged 39 and still flying high after breaking previous records to become the World Cup's all-time record scorer, will likely be introduced in the second half of the match. Scaloni has explained that the decision is about squad rotation, not injury concerns, saying: "Leo [Messi] will most likely come on in the second half. We talked and agreed that it was better that way, but obviously it's also good for him to stay in competitive form." The manager made it clear that this selection does not dictate future starting line-ups, adding: "The decision of who plays tomorrow is not related to who plays in the next match."
Scaloni acknowledged Jordan's strengths, saying they are a "good opponent" and that Argentina will need to dominate through possession. He also warned his team about the speed of Jordan's forwards, revealing a tactical strategy focused on squad rotation and managing player fatigue as Argentina progresses through the tournament.
The Golden Boot race remains tight with other contenders making their mark. Kylian Mbappe failed to add to his four goals in France's 4-1 victory over Norway, while Erling Haaland stayed on the bench. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele surged into contention with a first-half hat-trick, bringing his tournament total to four goals - intensifying the competition for the top scorer award.