Lionel Messi benched by Argentina: Why Argentina left him out of starting XI vs Jordan game?

Lionel Messi found himself on the bench as Argentina named the lineup for the final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match against Jordan on Sunday. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had announced in advance that Messi would be on the bench.

Argentina have already qualified for the Round of 32 after topping Group J in the FIFA World Cup 2026, with two wins from the first two games, and it made sense for them to give some much-needed rest to 39-year-old Messi.

Why Messi is not playing for Argentina?

Argentina are playing against Cabo Verde in Miami on Friday in the Round of 32.

While explaining Messi's possible exclusion from the starting 11 against Jordan, coach Scaloni had said, “Leo will start on the bench. I’m answering because you deserve a sincere answer. Leo will come in a little bit later.

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“Those that are playing tomorrow deserve to play, they are part of the team. All the effort we’ve put in in training is because of them, that’s why we’re here. They are making every effort when they’re not playing. I’d love to give everybody minutes and when I have the chance I do and it’s because they deserve it. They are fantastic players too,” he added.

Interestingly, Messi has scored all five goals Argentina have managed so far in the 2026 World Cup.

Messi is not the only Argentine player who has been rested. Nine from the starting XI against Austria have been rested. Only Emi Martinez and Lautaro Martinez are the two players retaining their places.

Jordan vs Argentina lineups

Argentina (4-4-2) E Martinez; Simeone, Otamendi, Senesi, Tagliafico; Lo Celso, Paredes, Palacios, Lo Celso; Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez.

Subs: Musso, Rulli, Monitel, Lisandro Martinez, Romero, Medina, Molina, De Paul, Barco, Gonzalez, Almada, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Lopez, Messi.

Jordan (3-4-2-1) Abulaila; Nasib, al-Arab, Abu Dahab; Haddad, al-Rashdan, al-Rawabdeh, Abu Taha; Olwan, O al-Fakouhri; Azaizeh.

Subs: Bani Attiah, A al-Fakhouri, Abu Hashish, Abualnadi, Obaid, al-Rosan, Badawi, Jamous, Ayed, Sadeh, Abu Ghoush, al-Dawoud, Abu Zrayq, al-Taamari, al-Mardi.

Referee Istvan Kovacs (Romania).