DALLAS, United States, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi will start Argentina's final World Cup group stage match against Jordan on the bench, head coach Lionel Scaloni said on Friday.
The reigning champion is already guaranteed top spot in Group J regardless of Saturday's result at Dallas Stadium and Scaloni hinted he would use the fixture to give chances to other players.
"So Leo is going to start on the bench, and I'm not trying to skirt the question," Scaloni told a news conference.
"You should know and I'm answering it because you deserve a sincere answer. Now, as for the formation, I won't tell you any more on that, and Leo will come in a little bit later. The whole lineup, I've got this confirmed, but we'll announce that tomorrow."
Messi, who turned 39 on Wednesday, has scored all five of Argentina's goals this tournament and has shown no sign of a hamstring strain he suffered while playing for Inter Miami in May.
Argentina beat Algeria and Austria in its first two games, while Jordan has already been eliminated after losing to Austria and Algeria. ■
