Messi Benched for Argentina's Group Finale vs Jordan
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- Lionel Scaloni confirmed at Friday's news conference that Messi will start on the bench against Jordan on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, saying "Leo will be a substitute tomorrow, to play later."
- Argentina have already qualified for the round of 32 as Group J winners after defeating Algeria and Austria in their opening two matches.
- Messi has scored five goals through two games — including a hat trick against Algeria and two against Austria — surpassing the men's World Cup all-time scoring record with 18 career tournament goals.
- Messi currently leads the Golden Boot race as the tournament's top scorer.
- Scaloni pushed back on the idea that the benching is strategic, saying "I can't express a preference for who we might face" and "we aren't in a position to choose our next opponent."
- Argentina's round of 32 opponent will be the runner-up from Group H, which includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia, with the match to be played in Miami.
- After the Jordan finale, Argentina will travel to Miami for the round of 32 clash.
Why it matters: Scaloni is resting the tournament's leading scorer — already the all-time men's World Cup goalscoring leader at 18 goals — after Argentina locked first place in Group J, absorbing the dead-rubber risk so Messi is fresh for the knockouts. The benching decision removes any chance to pad his Golden Boot lead in this game while preserving him for a round of 32 tie in Miami against an opponent drawn from a Group H pool that includes Spain and Uruguay.
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