arts
Lionel Messi won’t start Argentina’s group finale, but World Cup scoring record holder could sub in
By Matthew Garcia at WSVN 7 News
· June 27, 2026
· 2 min read
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lionel Messi, the top scorer in World Cup history, will not start when defending tournament champion and Group J winner Argentina plays Jordan on Saturday night in its last match before the knockout stage. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi’s 39t
Key takeaway Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi’s 39th birthday, that the team’s captain will begin the match on the bench, but also indicated through an interpreter that he “will come in a little bit later.
Why this matters in The Miami
As Argentina prepares to face Jordan in its group finale, Miami 's own connection to Lionel Messi comes into focus. Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, has been dealing with a minor hamstring injury that slowed him in the lead-up to the World Cup. Despite this, he has continued to make history on the field, breaking the career scoring record. With Argentina's knockout round set to begin in South Florida next Friday, local fans will have the opportunity to see Messi in action. The fact that Argentina will have to play five matches in 17 days if they make it to the final on July 19 raises concerns about player fatigue, including Messi's, given his recent injury. As the tournament progresses, Miami will be watching closely, not just as a hub for Latin American and Caribbean communities, but also as the home of Messi's MLS team.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lionel Messi, the top scorer in World Cup history, will not start when defending tournament champion and Group J winner Argentina plays Jordan on Saturday night in its last match before the knockout stage. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi’s 39t
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matthew Garcia at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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