Footage reveals: Messi to begin on the bench in clash with Jordan, confirms Scaloni

Lionel Scaloni, the coach of Argentina, has made a significant revelation about the team's lineup for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Jordan, stating that captain Lionel Messi will start on the bench, in a heartfelt moment shared during a pre-match press conference.

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This announcement came in response to a question from 91-year-old journalist Enrique Macaya Márquez, who is covering his 18th World Cup, with Scaloni indicating that he would not have shared this information with any other reporter.

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Scaloni's response to Macaya Márquez's inquiry did not include the full lineup, but he did confirm that Messi would be introduced in the second half, saying "It's a pleasure to be able to answer your question" and expressing his admiration for the veteran journalist.

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Scaloni added that he would not have replied to any other journalist on this topic, but chose to do so out of respect for Macaya Márquez, saying "I respect you too much, I am so proud to see you here" before embracing him and posing for photos.

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The moment drew applause from those present, with users such as #THE_SCORELINE_X reacting to the news by calling it "an absolutely beautiful story from the World Cup press conference" and expressing admiration for Macaya Márquez as a "true legend of football journalism".

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Another user, #yeamyth, shared a similar sentiment, describing the moment as "wholesome" and praising Scaloni's answer, while #BlaugranaLens1 noted the beauty of the moment between two icons of Argentine football.

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Messi, who has been managing fitness concerns in the tournament, is expected to feature as a substitute, allowing Scaloni to carefully manage his workload as Argentina progresses in the competition.

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The Albiceleste remain a strong contender under Scaloni's leadership, following their 2022 triumph, and the disclosure of Messi's bench role comes ahead of Argentina's crucial fixture.

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Argentina supporters will now await the full lineup announcement as the team aims to advance further in the 2026 World Cup, with fans closely watching how the team balances experience and rotation.