Lionel Messi will not start Argentina’s final Group J match against Jordan, with head coach Lionel Scaloni confirming the decision. Multiple outlets report that Argentina have already secured qualification and, with first place in the group all but assured, Scaloni rotates the squad and rests key players for the knockout stage. The approach is framed as workload management ahead of the Round of 32.
Scaloni’s comments indicate Messi will be used later in the game rather than at kickoff, with several reports describing the possibility that he comes on off the bench. There is also expectation that Argentina will feature a heavily changed starting lineup, including a potential rotation in other positions; NDTV notes goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez could remain a first-choice starter while the rest of the team is adjusted.
The reports also agree that Messi remains central to Argentina’s tournament output, with references to him scoring five goals in two earlier matches, while Argentina’s group-stage results over Algeria and Austria have already positioned them for the next round.
