Why isn't Lionel Messi starting for Argentina at the World Cup?

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Evening Standard

·27. Juni 2026

Why isn't Lionel Messi starting for Argentina at the World Cup?

All-time leading finals goalscorer will begin on the bench for last Group J fixture against Jordan in Dallas

It has been an incredible opening to a sixth and surely last finals for the iconic eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who continues to shatter major records thanks to his remarkable longevity at the highest level.

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After escaping an early red card against Algeria for a bad challenge on Aissa Mandi, Messi netted a first World Cup hat-trick on the occasion of his 200th senior international cap as the holders opened the 2026 tournament with a rousing 3-0 triumph in Kansas City.

That took him level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose for the most goals scored in World Cup finals history with 16. It would not take Messi long to claim that prestigious record outright, bouncing back from a shock early penalty miss to register his 17th and 18th strikes in a 2-0 win over Austria in Dallas on Monday.

Messi - who dealt with a hamstring issue in the build-up to the tournament - played the full 90 minutes in that game, having been on for all but 10 minutes of the opener, before celebrating his 39th birthday two days later.

However, fans in Dallas on Saturday are likely to catch only a brief glimpse of the all-time great, whom head coach Lionel Scaloni has already confirmed will begin on the bench against Jordan.

“Leo will most likely come on in the second half,” Scaloni said at Friday’s pre-match press conference.

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“We talked and agreed that it was better that way, but obviously it's also good for him to stay in competitive form.”

While it may not be to the liking of those in attendance at Dallas Stadium, it is a decision that makes perfect sense from Scaloni.

Argentina’s opening wins over Algeria and Austria, coupled with FIFA now using head-to-head record over goal difference as the primary tiebreaker during the group stage, means they are already assured of top spot in Group J, regardless of what happens in their final match.

They cannot fall from first place and already know the identity of their opponents in the round of 32, with Cape Verde on the way in Miami next Friday (July 3) after the debutants drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia in Houston to shock Uruguay and clinch second place behind reigning European champions Spain in Group H.

Jordan, conversely, cannot hope to advance beyond the group stage at their maiden World Cup after an opening 3-1 loss to Austria was followed by a painful late 2-1 defeat by Algeria.

Though Scaloni insists that his selection for the game will not be influenced by who starts in the round of 32, it stands to reason that he would want to be very careful with the fitness of Messi, who currently leads the race for what would be a first-ever World Cup Golden Boot.

His five strikes in two games so far has him one ahead of illustrious rivals Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Jr and Erling Haaland.

Messi will not be the only key Argentina player rested against Jordan, with the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Lisandro Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister also expected to be rotated, while Tottenham captain Cristian Romero misses out with a knee issue sustained against Austria.

There are expected to be chances for the likes of Nico Paz, Giuliano Simeone and Giovani Lo Celso, while Julian Alvarez should lead the attack in Messi’s absence.