HomeFIFA World CupMarcos Senesi called up to replace Leonardo Balerdi in Argentina's World Cup...

Marcos Senesi called up to replace Leonardo Balerdi in Argentina’s World Cup squad

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has called up Marcos Senesi to replace the injured Leonardo Balerdi in Argentina’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The 29-year-old defender, who was recently unveiled as a new signing for Tottenham Hotspur, will join Argentina’s training camp in Kansas, United States, in the coming hours as preparations continue for the team’s World Cup opener.

Senesi’s addition provides Argentina with another left-footed central defender ahead of their first match of the tournament. The Albiceleste are set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria.

Balerdi was ruled out through injury, prompting Scaloni to make the late change to the squad just days before Argentina’s opening fixture.

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21 Comments

  1. Finally, the Senesi is in. As it is said, for good people everything falls in it’s correct place. Scaloni and company… if nothing else are good people at heart. And my boy Senesi is a hard working humble guy. It had to happen. What we all now know about Scaloni and should deeply appreciate is he doesn’t go after this name or that name… he needs the right PROFILES. Pieces of puzzle that can fit in the right place at the right time. That’s his genius.
    This Argentina team and Scaloni are going to be remembered for their greatness… God Willing.
    The GOAT player, the GOAT manager and the GOAT team.

  2. Injury list:
    Emi, Paredes, Montiel, Molina, nico, Tagliafico.

    Out of this players at least 2 players should be replaced.

    Giay in place of molina/ Montiel
    Buendia in place of Nico

  3. Senesi being called up gives as CB depth. It felt unjust that he was left out, glad we can count on him now. Although, he is only going to play vs Jordan if needed, needs time to train and get up the speed.

    Some pundits are underestimating us. The basic premise is that we did not refresh the squad enough, that Otamendi and Messi are too old, bla, bla, bla. That the team is largely the same from Qatar, etc.

    But why is that a problem if our core is in or approaching their prime? Majority of our midfielders are mostly young. Lautaro, Julian and Lopez are under 30. We brought some fresh legs and energy from Simeone, Barco, Lopez, Paz.

    Fullbacks have always been a concern, but now they are also allegedly unfit. I am saying allegedly, because there is some misinformation and smoke and mirrors element too in my opinion. We won’t know until the actual games whether certain players are actually unfit. If that’s the strategy, I don’t mind it although it makes us all nervous too in the meantime…

    • Enganche, good to have you back, bro.

      Yeah, I’m so happy for Senesi, and he deserves a spot on the World Cup squad. It’s true most pundits write us off, which is good. I believe we’ll prove them wrong. No team wants to face Argentina. Plus, I’ll watch this World Cup with less intensity since we won the last one, but I still want us to do really well, and I genuinely believe they will.

      • Hey bro, thanks!

        Yeah, there is much less pressure on all of us which is a huge blessing. Anything from now on is a bonus. We are playing with house money…

        • Good to have you back. Many have written us off partly because our young talents didn’t have an impressive season and partly because we won’t get the game changing contribution we got from Messi and Di Maria last time. While these are valid grounds, we are now a more fluent, coherent and mature group.

  4. YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! Marcos Senesi!!! Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! Marcos Senesi!!! Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!Marcos Senesi!!!

  5. This is the big news in Argentina today. They have the news on a banner on the bottom of screen on tv as opening celebrations are going in Mexico City!
    Great news, he deserves the call. Scaloni still has option to change another player due to injury if need.

      • Yes, you are most likely correct. But with the way injuries have been we need a good back up. Don’t forget Licha Martinez just got back to playing a few months ago after a year away from futbol because of a catastrophic injury. Cuti romero just started playing a week ago. Our rightbacks are injured. Our left back is injured now. Licha may be able to be placed as left back and SENESI can play with ota or romero in center. Paredes injured as well and he is a loss to our defensive transition. This team if fit is great minus lopez and lo celso. Argentina never does well with a striker named lopez. Look at our history.

  6. Destiny can’t be changed…
    Senesi deserved to go to world cup..he’s a great player and leader…I love him since his Feyenoord days…

    • Otta become right sided CB For Cuti Backup and Senesi become backup of Licha and also for his height, medina become fixed LB due to Tagliafico fitness. NO Chance for Buendia, Guido.

      • For Buendia, I know Scaloni reason, because Buendia has not been in the national team for a very long time, in terms for teamwork, he cannot compare to Senesi or other ppl.

  7. In Bangla there is a saying ‘ওস্তাদের মার শেষ রাতে’ means ‘The trickstar keeps his final or best act for the final night’ and it is Scaloni the mastermind

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