ARLINGTON, June 27, (v7n) – Lionel Messi will start Argentina's final group match against Jordan on Saturday from the bench, with the reigning champions already assured of top spot in Group J, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed.
"Leo will come on later and I've already confirmed the team, but we're going to announce it tomorrow," Scaloni told reporters on Friday. Argentina have already sealed first place after wins over Austria (2-0) and Algeria (3-0).
Messi, who turned 39 on Wednesday, has scored all of Argentina's goals so far in the tournament, becoming the outright leading scorer in World Cup history. With Argentina through to the last 32 and debutants Jordan already eliminated, Scaloni is expected to ring the changes. Argentina will face the team that finishes second in Group H, which comprises Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.
Left-back Nicolás Tagliafico, who plays in France, said he feels Messi is better than ever. "He's at the very exact same level as in 2022, or even better, I would say," said the 33-year-old.
For Messi's birthday, the Argentina players wore specially made T-shirts in his honor and had a cake. "I think that this was something quite beautiful," said Tagliafico. "At the end of the day these are just small details. You know how it is when you have to live together for such a long time, when you see everybody's faces every single day. We had a ball, we just had a blast."
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