Argentina Defender Balerdi Could Miss One Month with Injury, May Exit World Cup Squad

According to ESPN Argentina, Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi may be forced to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup squad at the final moment. The player reportedly suffered a serious leg injury in training and could be sidelined for at least a month.

Olé reports that the Argentine defender picked up a muscle issue during a training session, and the national team now needs to decide quickly whether to call up a replacement.

Just as Argentina's injury woes appeared to be easing, Balerdi was unable to complete Friday's full training session after suffering a minor muscle tear. The injury has cast doubt over his place in the World Cup squad. The coaching staff now face a difficult decision: wait for him to recover and keep him in the squad, or remove him and bring in another player for the tournament.

According to the report, the Marseille centre-back suddenly felt discomfort during a drill at the Estadio Presidente Perón (El Cilindro) on Friday evening. He left the training ground accompanied by a member of the medical staff for further tests. Initial hopes that the injury might be minor were dashed when scans revealed a muscle tear, which is expected to sideline him for at least 15 days.

With the World Cup fast approaching, a 15-day absence would likely see him miss some or all of the group stage. Argentina's coaching staff therefore have a decision to make. Waiting would risk being short of defensive options during the group stage, while replacing him would require identifying a suitable alternative quickly. How Lionel Scaloni and his team balance these considerations in the coming days remains to be seen. Whatever the final decision, it will have an impact on Argentina's defensive setup. Balerdi himself is understandably frustrated by the timing of the injury, especially just after being named in the World Cup squad. The Argentine FA may issue a further statement on the matter in the coming hours.

Source: X