Argentina World Cup Squad Change: Leonardo Balerdi Withdraws, Marcos Senesi Among Candidates to Replace Him

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has been forced to make a late change to his World Cup squad after defender Leonardo Balerdi withdrew with a muscle injury in the soleus of his right leg, the Argentina national team confirmed on social media. The injury is expected to require around three weeks of recovery, ruling Balerdi out of the tournament and opening the door for a replacement to be named ahead of Argentina’s first match on June 16.

Why it matters

Balerdi’s late withdrawal matters because Scaloni can replace players up to a day before Argentina’s opening match. The decision affects defensive depth and squad balance: Balerdi is a centre back and left-footed, qualities that shape selection options and left/right-side cover. With several Argentina players reported as carrying fitness concerns in the build-up, losing another defender forces Scaloni to weigh positional needs and the ability of any call-up to integrate quickly for the tournament.

Who could replace Balerdi?

World Soccer Talk identifies Marcos Senesi as the leading candidate to replace Balerdi on the 26-man list. Senesi is a centre back and—the report notes—recently secured a move to Tottenham following strong performances at Bournemouth, which would make an international call-up a significant opportunity ahead of his new club season. The source also mentions Agustín Giay and Nicolás Capaldo as possible options, both of whom travelled with the squad, while Marcos Acuña is listed as an outside chance.

Squad timing and immediate fixture

Argentina are due to play Honduras in Texas today, but Scaloni is expected to field a lineup that does not include many of his regular starters, as the squad only assembled a few days earlier. The replacement for Balerdi can be named up until the day before Argentina’s first match, giving Scaloni a short window to finalise his 26-man roster.

• Leonardo Balerdi withdrawn from Argentina squad with soleus muscle injury (right leg), confirmed by Argentina on social media.
• Injury estimated to require three weeks of recovery, per the source.
• Argentina can call up a replacement until one day before their opening World Cup match on June 16.
• Marcos Senesi identified as the main candidate to replace Balerdi; Agustín Giay, Nicolás Capaldo and Marcos Acuña mentioned as other possibilities.
• Argentina play Honduras in Texas today; a lineup of largely non-regular starters is expected.

Context and considerations for Scaloni

The source highlights Argentina’s broader fitness concerns entering the tournament and notes squad balance issues: Balerdi is left-footed, which may influence selection if Scaloni wants to preserve a left-sided centre-back option. The short timeline before the first match increases the premium on a replacement who is match-ready and can travel and integrate immediately.

What happens next

Scaloni has until a day before Argentina’s opening match (June 16) to announce a replacement. The likely next steps are an official squad update from the Argentina national team confirming the player called up and any logistical arrangements for that player to join the camp. This article flags that confirmation and exact identity of the replacement were not included in the source and should be checked against Argentina’s official communications.