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Argentina's national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, has announced that captain Lionel Messi will not start in the upcoming third-round group stage match of the World Cup against Jordan.
During the pre-match press conference, Scaloni explicitly stated that the 39-year-old star would begin the game on the substitutes' bench.
"Those who will step onto the field tomorrow have earned that right. They are an integral part of the squad and our collective journey. A significant portion of our achievements is thanks to these players. When they aren't in the starting lineup, they are the first ones to show up for training the next day. I will give them playing time as soon as an opportunity arises. Not just because they aren't playing, but because they deserve it. They are excellent players," Scaloni declared.
Currently, Messi is the leading scorer of the 2026 World Cup with five goals.
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