Alarms in the National Team: Leonardo Balerdi is out of the final squad for the World Cup due to a muscle tear

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 injury and was removed from the World Cup roster, a significant loss for Lionel Scaloni's team 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.