Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi will start Sunday's final group match against Jordan on the substitutes' bench. The 39-year-old forward has scored five goals in his first two matches, including a brace against Austria that made him the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer. Scaloni emphasized the decision is not injury-related and Messi will likely feature in the second half to maintain competitive sharpness.

Messi currently leads the Golden Boot race with his early tournament heroics, though several rivals remain close behind. France's 4-1 victory over Norway saw Kylian Mbappe unused from the start, while Erling Haaland also remained on the bench. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele thrust himself into the scoring conversation with a first-half hat-trick that brought him level on four goals for the tournament.

Scaloni explained that resting Messi serves both player management and tactical purposes ahead of knockout stages. He noted Jordan presents a good test with fast forwards, and Argentina plans to dominate possession. The coach added that team selection against Jordan won't determine who starts in the round of 16.

With Argentina's group stage nearing completion, managing Messi's minutes becomes essential for tournament longevity. The decision reflects careful planning rather than concern over fitness, ensuring the veteran remains fresh for crucial knockout matches while maintaining squad harmony.