Argentina approach the final Group J match already assured of top spot, yet Lionel Scaloni plans a bold change. Lionel Messi will start on the bench against already-eliminated Jordan at Dallas Stadium on Saturday, as the coach looks to protect the captain before a round-of-32 tie with Cape Verde.

Scaloni confirmed that Messi, who turned 39 this week, would be used only if needed against Jordan. “Leo will be a substitute tomorrow, to play later,” Scaloni said. “The decision of who starts is not in relation to the opponent we’ll face in the next round.”

Messi remains central to Argentina’s World Cup campaign despite this rest. The captain has scored all five of Argentina’s goals so far and also leads the team for chances created, through balls, line-breaking passes in the final third, completed dribbles and progressive carries, underlining a wide influence beyond finishing.

The forward now stands alone as the leading scorer in World Cup history, with 18 goals. That tally puts Messi two clear of Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappe. With progress already secure, Scaloni is using this opportunity to test other attackers while limiting the minutes of the record-breaker.

Scaloni stressed that Argentina must keep standards high regardless of Messi’s reduced role. “The hope is that the team will play the same way. That’s what we’re going to try to do,” Scaloni added. “Jordan is a good opponent, and we’re not taking anything for granted. We’ll try to tweak some aspects of the last match, but with the same intention of controlling the ball and dominating the opponent.

“When playing with this shirt, it doesn’t matter the moment, the need for points or not; this shirt means going out to play and doing it well, always trying to win. That’s why we maintain the same way and anxiety as the first day.”

The defending champions arrive in strong World Cup form under Scaloni. Argentina are unbeaten in eight World Cup games, with six wins and two draws. That sequence is now their longest run in the competition under a single coach, moving past the seven-game streak achieved with Carlos Salvador Bilardo in 1986.

Argentina World Cup test as Jordan chase Lionel Messi champions upset

Jordan, ranked 68th before the tournament, face a big challenge but also a rare chance. A win would make Jordan the lowest-ranked side ever to defeat the reigning champions at a World Cup. The current mark belongs to South Korea, ranked 57th when beating Germany 2-0 in the 2018 group stage.

Argentina’s meeting with Jordan offers Scaloni a chance to rotate while tracking performance levels. With Cape Verde waiting in the round of 32, the coaching staff will watch closely how the reshaped side manages control and intensity, and whether Argentina can extend the unbeaten World Cup run without relying on another Messi goal.