Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Ecuador, at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on September 7, 2023. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Argentina and Marseille central defender Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a calf injury, the world champions announced on Saturday.
The 27-year-old has suffered a muscle injury in his right leg and will miss the World Cup, the Argentine federation announced on social media, wishing the player a speedy recovery.
Balerdi, who had hoped to play in his first World Cup, posted a photo of himself training with the squad in Kansas City on social media on Friday.
Argentina have not yet named a replacement.
