Worla Cup Desk— The Argentine national football team has suffered a massive setback just days before the start of their World Cup campaign. Defender Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a serious injury to the soleus muscle in his right leg.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) officially confirmed the heartbreaking news on Thursday.
In light of Balerdi’s sudden exit, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has called up defender Marcos Senesi to complete the 26-man Albiceleste squad.
In an official social media statement, the Argentine team wished Balerdi a swift recovery, stating:
“Defender Leonardo Balerdi has suffered an injury to the soleus muscle of his right leg. As a result, he will not be able to remain in the World Cup squad. Get well soon, Balerdi!”
Coach Lionel Scaloni had previously used Tuesday’s friendly match against Iceland to finalize his squad depth. Speaking after that match, Scaloni had hinted at potential adjustments, saying, “Today’s test satisfied me and cleared up many doubts regarding the team’s gaps. I might take a day or two to officially announce Balerdi’s replacement.” That replacement has now been locked in with Senesi.
The Rise of Marcos Senesi
Senesi, who holds Italian heritage, previously turned down the opportunity to play for the Italian national team (Gli Azzurri) in order to represent his birth country, Argentina. He received his first international call-up ahead of the 2022 Finalissima and made his debut in a friendly against Estonia.
The reliable defender has been gaining traction in the national setup, playing a full 90 minutes against Venezuela on October 10 and featuring against Mauritania at La Bombonera on March 27.
A Double Celebration for Senesi
The World Cup call-up caps off a massive week for Senesi’s personal career. Upon the expiration of his contract with Bournemouth on July 1, the defender is set to join English Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer. This move means he will soon be club teammates with fellow Argentine World Cup defender Cristian Romero.
Senesi is currently en route to Kansas City, Missouri, to link up with the rest of the Argentine squad.
Argentina is placed in a group alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. The Lionel Messi-led side will kick off their World Cup journey on June 16 against Algeria.