Leonardo Balerdi, Argentina, Lionel Scaloni, Marseille
6 June 2026
Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a right calf muscle injury. The Marseille captain had travelled to Argentina’s Kansas City camp but will not feature in their title defence.
Argentina confirmed the defender’s soleus injury and will now pick a replacement before the tournament begins. Lionel Scaloni still has Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi and Facundo Medina available at centre-back.