why is messi not starting

Messi is not starting because Argentina’s coach is resting him for squad rotation, not because of a major injury concern. Reports say he is expected to be available off the bench and could come on in the second half.

Why he’s on the bench

The main reason appears to be tactical. Argentina had already secured the group, so Lionel Scaloni chose to manage Messi’s minutes and give other players a chance.

A second factor is workload management. Some reports also note that Messi had a minor hamstring issue in the lead-up, which makes a cautious approach even more sensible.

What this means

• He is not being dropped for form.
• He is expected to be fit enough to play later.
• Argentina is likely prioritizing him for the knockout stage.

Quick Scoop

The short version: Messi is sitting out the start because Argentina can afford to rest him, and the coach wants him fresh for what comes next.

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