Lionel Messi will begin Argentina’s final Group J match against Jordan on the bench, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed ahead of Saturday’s fixture at AT&T Stadium.

The decision comes with Argentina already assured of top spot in Group J after victories over Algeria and Austria. With qualification to the Round of 32 secured, Scaloni has opted to manage the workload of his captain before the knockout stage.

Messi is expected to feature later in the match.

“Leo will be a substitute tomorrow, to play later,” Scaloni told reporters on Friday (June 26). “The decision of who starts tomorrow is not in relation to the opponent we’ll face in the next round. We aren’t in a position to choose our next opponent. I’d rather the World Cup ended tomorrow with us as champions.”

Argentina already have qualification secured

Argentina’s opening two victories have ensured there is little riding on the result against Jordan from a standings perspective.

The defending champions sealed first place in the group after beating Algeria and Austria, allowing Scaloni the opportunity to rotate his squad before the tournament moves into its knockout phase.

Resting Messi also reduces the risk of injury ahead of the Round of 32, where every match becomes a knockout contest.

The coach dismissed suggestions that his team selection was influenced by a desire to face a particular opponent in the next round, insisting Argentina’s focus remains on preparing as well as possible regardless of who finishes second in Group H.

Messi heads into the knockouts in record-breaking form

Messi has been Argentina’s decisive player throughout the group stage.

The forward has scored all five of Argentina’s goals at the tournament, including a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria. His second goal against Austria took him to 18 FIFA World Cup goals, making him the outright leading scorer in the history of the men’s tournament.

He also enters the final round of group-stage matches as the tournament’s leading scorer and one of the favourites to finish with the Golden Boot.

Argentina will meet the runners-up from Group H in the Round of 32, with Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia still in contention before the final group matches.

By limiting Messi’s minutes against Jordan, Argentina will hope their captain arrives at the knockout stage rested while remaining match sharp for the challenges ahead.