Argentina boss to rest Lionel Messi for group stage finale against Jordan | OneFootball

Lionel Messi will start on the bench for Argentina football against Jordan to complete their World Cup 2026 group stage.

The Albiceleste are defending their title and have started in magnificent form behind Messi’s prolific run of five goals from two games in victories over Algeria and Austria.

Messi is the leading contender to win this year’s golden boot, one clear of France forwards Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Messi (18) is also two clear of Mbappe (16) as the tournament’s all-time record goalscorer, but that record could be threatened with Lionel Scaloni opting to hold the 39-year-old back for the Group J finale.

Argentina's Lionel Messi during training on Friday (Reuters)

“Leo Messi will be on the bench against Jordan. He will have minutes in the second half,” said Scaloni.