Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi will miss the World Cup due to a muscle injury, forcing manager Lionel Scaloni to look for late replacements.
Argentina’s World Cup preparations have suffered a defensive blow with the news that Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the upcoming tournament. The Argentine Football Association confirmed that a soleus muscle injury sustained during training camp has shattered the Olympique de Marseille center-back’s dreams of appearing at his first World Cup.
While not a locked-in starter for the reigning champions, Balerdi’s tactical versatility made him a highly valued asset for manager Lionel Scaloni. His ability to smoothly transition between a back four and a three-man defense, combined with his calm composure on the ball, offered crucial tactical depth during grueling South American qualifiers.
With a roster vacancy to fill, Scaloni is reportedly weighing up his defensive alternatives. Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi and experienced River Plate defender German Pezzella are the frontrunners to join the squad.