“Senesi called up by Argentina for the World Cup after Balerdi’s injury.”

The World Cup hasn’t even started yet, and there’s already a tough setback for the Argentine national team: Leonardo Balerdi is out of the competition due to a muscle injury in his right leg. Without wasting any time, Lionel Scaloni decided to take action and called up Marcos Senesi to fill the vacant spot, ensuring that the defending champions’ defense is not left exposed just days before the tournament kicks off.

The confirmation came on Tuesday, June 11, through Gastón Edul, a journalist close to the national team, who announced on social media: “Marcos Senesi has been called up to the Argentine national team for the World Cup.” Senesi, a 27-year-old center-back, is preparing to join the squad in Kansas City, Missouri, where Argentina is concentrating ahead of their opening match against Algeria, scheduled for June 16.

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This unexpected scenario represents a real shock for Balerdi, who saw his chances of establishing himself in the most important competition in world football evaporate before the initial whistle. For Argentina, the priority was to not waste time and ensure that Scaloni had quality alternatives in the defensive line, maintaining stability and a renewed ambition to defend the title won in 2022.

The call-up of Senesi carries even more weight as it comes at a crucial stage in his career. The defender, who has been considered by Scaloni multiple times but always remained on the fringes of the core group, now receives a golden opportunity to showcase himself in a squad that has already proven it knows how to win on the biggest international football stage. It is worth noting that Senesi could have represented the Italian national team due to his family roots, having even attracted interest from the Italian federation. However, he chose to defend the colors of Argentina, making his debut in a friendly against Estonia and has since remained under the watchful eye of the coach.

Lionel Scaloni, after the preparation friendly against Iceland, made a point of emphasizing that the choice of Balerdi’s replacement would not be rushed: “After the game, I have a clearer idea of the team’s needs, but I still need some time to decide.” However, he ultimately moved forward with the decision, confirming that Senesi will be the man to strengthen the Argentine defense.

This call-up also marks an interesting connection to English football: Senesi is about to transfer to Tottenham, where he will share a dressing room with Cristian Romero, another key player in the Albiceleste defense. But for now, the focus of the two center-backs is solely on helping Argentina advance past the group stage, where the demands will be at their highest.

With the World Cup approaching and expectations running high, the pressure on Senesi is enormous: he must quickly demonstrate that he is a viable solution, especially in a team that does not tolerate defensive slip-ups. Balerdi’s absence forces Scaloni to readjust plans and dynamics, but there is complete confidence in this group’s ability to adapt. The next step will be to observe how Senesi integrates and responds to the maximum demands of high-level international competition.

Behind the scenes of Argentine football and the FIFA, this last-minute change is already being seen as one of the first major stories of the 2026 World Cup. Attention has now turned to the performance of the Argentine defense and Senesi’s mental and physical response, which could turn this unexpected call-up into a turning point in his career. If he meets expectations, he could not only help Argentina maintain its status as favorites but also solidify his place among the elite of world football. For now, the South American team’s aspirations to reclaim the world title remain intact – and Senesi is about to be put to the test in an unforgiving manner.

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