The Olympique de Marseille defender was injured during the last training session before the friendly match against Honduras and has been ruled out for the World Cup. Now the coaching staff will have to decide who will take his place on the final roster
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The Argentine National Team received bad news just days before its debut in the 2026 World Cup. During a practice in College Station, defender Leonardo Balerdi suffered a muscle injuryand was removed from the World Cup roster, a significant loss for Lionel Scaloni'steam in the final stretch of preparation.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that the central defender has a tear in the soleus of his right leg, an injury that will prevent him from being fit to compete in the tournament. After medical examinations conducted following the training session, the coaching staff decided to exclude him from the roster and begin analyzing possible replacements.
The issue arose during the last practice before the friendly against Honduras. Balerdi felt a muscle discomfort while performing exercises with the rest of the squad and left the activity to undergo medical tests. The images confirmed an injury whose estimated recovery time exceeds the timelines set by the National Team ahead of the World Cup.
The news generated concern within the national delegation, especially as it comes at a time when the coaching staff is trying to recover several players dealing with physical issues. The defense is one of the most affected areas, with players still working to regain their best form after various injuries sustained in recent months.
Balerdi had earned a spot among the 26 called up thanks to his steady growth in European football. As the captain of Olympique de Marseille and a standout performer in Ligue 1, the defender was seen as an important alternative for the central defense, especially given the need to manage physical loads among some starters.
At 27 years old, he was experiencing one of the best moments of his career and was preparing to play in his first World Cup. In addition to his current situation in France, he had been gaining continuity with the Albiceleste and had been a starter in several matches of the South American Qualifiers.
This absence now forces Scaloni and his staff to determine who will fill the vacant spot on the World Cup roster. Among the names appearing as possible replacements is Marcos Senesi, one of the last players cut in the final selection and with experience within the National Team cycle. The left-footed defender emerges as a natural alternative, although he has not yet been contacted by the coaching staff.
Marcos Senesi would be the natural replacement for Balerdi
In addition to Senesi, the expanded pre-list also includes other defenders such as Lucas Martínez Quarta, Germán Pezzella, Luciano Di Lollo, and Zaid Romero. However, the decision does not necessarily have to be a like-for-like replacement. With Nicolás Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Facundo Medina already available as central defenders, the native of Pujato could also opt to incorporate a player from another position to strengthen a different area of the squad.
It is worth noting that FIFA allows for modifications due to injury until June 15, one day before the debut against Algeria, as long as the absence is certified by a doctor designated by the organization.
Hours before the friendly against Honduras at Kyle Field in Texas, the national team enters the final stretch of its preparation for the World Cup. In addition to the match against the Central Americans, they will face Iceland next Tuesday, June 9 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Alabama.
After a few days of training at their base in Kansas, the National Team will begin its World Cup journey in Group J against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16 at Kansas City Stadium, then they will face Austria on Monday, June 22 at Dallas Stadium and finally close the first phase with their match against Jordan on Saturday, June 27, again in Kansas.
