Argentina will arrive on the 2026 FIFA World Cup because the reigning champions after profitable the title at Qatar 2022 by defeating France within the closing. That success would have been inconceivable with out Lionel Messi, who shined all through the event, and now certainly one of his teammates from the nationwide staff has revealed an anecdote involving the ahead.
Leonardo Balerdi gave an interview this week to Get French Soccer Information through which he mirrored on the months main as much as the 2022 World Cup. Though he was not included on the ultimate roster, he had a matchup towards Messi in Ligue 1, when Leo was nonetheless taking part in for Paris Saint-Germain.
“You strive to not suppose an excessive amount of about who he’s however there was one sport earlier than the 2022 World Cup when all my pals messaged me: ‘Do NOT injure Messi,’” the Olympique Marseille defender revealed. “I mentioned: ‘Don’t say that!’ Taking part in towards him was particular however he performed for PSG and I needed to beat him.”
This exhibits the significance Messi had—and nonetheless has—for the Argentina nationwide staff, to the purpose the place Argentine opponents felt strain to not danger injuring him earlier than a significant event.
Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi.
“As a participant, he’s one thing else. He’s like Diego Maradona. He put Argentina on the map. For our era, Messi represents soccer: our soccer, our individuals, our neighborhoods,” Balerdi defined. “We’ve been fortunate to have Maradona and now Messi. You need to get pleasure from it whereas he’s nonetheless taking part in.”
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Balerdi goals to make the 2026 World Cup
Leonardo Balerdi made his official debut for Argentina at simply 20 years previous, in 2019. Nevertheless, after taking part in two matches, he didn’t return to the nationwide staff for one more 5 years. Between 2024 and 2025, his sturdy performances with Olympique Marseille in Ligue 1 introduced him again into Lionel Scaloni’s plans, and since then he has performed 9 extra matches between friendlies and South American qualifiers.
“My goal is to go to the World Cup. It will be a dream to win one thing with the nationwide staff,” he mentioned in the identical interview with Get French Soccer Information. Nevertheless, the defender is aware of he should deal with the state of affairs calmly: “I’ve to remain within the second, in any other case my head will explode with the whole lot else taking place.”
Balerdi believes his relationship with the Argentine head coach can be an asset as he competes for one of many 26 spots on the ultimate roster. “I’ve identified Lionel Scaloni for a very long time. I used to be within the under-20s at a event in Spain and since then I’ve at all times had relationship with him. He’s relaxed and doesn’t converse an excessive amount of, however when he does, he’s exact,” Leonardo mentioned.
Argentina’s defensive choices forward of the 2026 World Cup
After profitable the title at Qatar 2022, Argentina continued their dominant run by capturing the Copa America 2024 and topping the South American qualifiers by a large margin. Nevertheless, that didn’t cease coach Scaloni from making a number of modifications to the squad with the 2026 World Cup in thoughts.
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Younger stars similar to Franco Mastantuono and Nicolas Paz have gained prominence not too long ago, to the purpose the place they’ve an actual probability of securing one of many 26 spots. The defensive sector has adopted the identical pattern, and Leonardo Balerdi has additionally elevated his probabilities.
Even so, the 26-year-old defender will face robust competitors. Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi stay the first heart backs, and it appears unlikely they may lose that standing within the subsequent six months. The primary various is Lisandro Martinez, although his bodily points create uncertainty. That’s the place Balerdi may discover alternatives, competing with different gamers similar to Juan Foyth, Lautaro Rivero, and Marcos Senesi.
