Why is Lionel Messi not starting in Argentina vs Jordan World Cup match today?

Leo will go to the bench. I’ll hold off on the final starting line-up, but Leo will come in later,” Scaloni told reporters.

“The great merit of everything that’s been done goes to the boys who are always there and train to the max,” Scaloni said. “I think that when there’s an opportunity, there are great players who also deserve to come in. And the idea is for the team to play in the same way.”

Messi will still likely come on as a sub in the second half of the game.

“The hope is that the team will play the same way. That’s what we’re going to try to do,” Scaloni said. “Jordan is a good opponent, and we’re not taking anything for granted. We’ll try to tweak some aspects of the last match, but with the same intention of controlling the ball and dominating the opponent.”

Messi comes on in 60th min

After two first-half goals from Giovanni Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez from the penalty spot, Jordan struck one back in the 55th minute through Mousa Tamari who came on in at the start of the second-half. Messi soon made his appearance from bench, replacing Martinez in the 60th minute.

Argentina began their World Cup title defence without breaking a sweat in Group J, beating Algeria and Austria by comfortable margins. Led by their talismanic captain, Argentina’s goals have all arrived in the form of Messi, who has bagged a hat-trick and a brace to lead the goal-scoring charts.

Argentina starting lineup: E.Martinez (GK); Senesi, Tagliafico, Otamendi (c), Paredes, Lo Celso, Palacios, Alvarez, Simeone, Paz, La.Martinez.

Jordan starting lineuo: Abulaila (GK); Nasib, Al-Arab, Abu Dahab, Haddad (c), Al-Rashdan, Al-Rawabdeh, Abu Taha, Olwan, Azaizeh, Al-Fakhouri.