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Lionel Messi<\/a>‘s Argentina have strengthened their FIFA World Cup squad with the addition of Marcos Senesi as a replacement for the injured Leo Balerdi. The new Tottenham Hotspur defender will join up with the rest of the squad ahead of their opener against Algeria. <\/p>\n Lionel Scaloni has opted for Senesi to bolster Argentina’s squad as they look to defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago. The former Bournemouth man replaced Olympique Marseille star Balerdi, who picked up a calf injury in training last week. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n Marcos Senesi enjoyed a hugely impressive final season on the South Coast with Bournemouth, winning their Players’ Player of the Season award. He played 37 times for the Cherries in the 2025-26 Premier League season, helping them finish sixth and qualify for Europe. <\/p>\n An Argentina international since 2022, the 29-year-old has played three times for La Albiceleste and could line up alongside Tottenham captain Cristian Romero in the FIFA World Cup. He will provide competition for the likes of Nicolas Otamendi<\/a> and Lisandro Martinez, as well. <\/p>\n Senesi was on holidays in Ibiza, having initially been overlooked by Scaloni in his 26-man FIFA World Cup squad, when he received the call. He will now join the team in Kansas City, where their base is located. <\/p>\n Lionel Messi’s side will be bolstered by the inclusion of Senesi, whose quality on and off the ball is clear. He led the Premier League’s outfield players in long passes in the 2025-26 season and completed over 2,000 passes during the campaign. He also featured in the top three for most interceptions, most blocks, and most clearances. <\/p>\n Argentina have finalized their roster for the FIFA World Cup with the addition of Marcos Senesi, and will now continue to prepare for their opener against Algeria. La Albiceleste will be led by talismanic skipper Lionel Messi, who will hope to repeat his displays from four years ago. <\/p>\n Messi will come into the tournament in fine form following an impressive cameo in the friendly against Iceland in which he scored from the penalty spot. The 38-year-old has been in fine form for Inter Miami<\/a>, as well, with 12 goals and seven assists in 14 MLS games this year. <\/p>\n Argentina’s success in the competition will depend largely on their ability to utilize their iconic number 10 in the best way and mask his defensive deficiency. Lionel Messi showed in 2022 that he has what it takes to win, and will be under less pressure to prove a point in North America this summer. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Can Lionel Messi lead Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory again?<\/h2>\n