Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi will miss the 2026 World Cup after sustaining a leg injury in training, the Argentinian Football Association confirmed. The 27-year-old suffered a muscle injury to his right soleus and is expected to be sidelined for at least one month, according to ESPN journalist Nacho Rivarola. This injury represents a significant setback for Balerdi, who was hoping to feature in the tournament.
Balerdi currently plays for Marseille in France’s Ligue 1 and is expected to depart the club this summer. A World Cup appearance would have been a valuable opportunity to showcase his talent and potentially secure a move. Argentina begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 17th, and manager Lionel Scaloni will now need to select a replacement for the injured defender.
Balerdi has been a regular in the Marseille squad, making 31 appearances across all competitions this season. He joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, initially on loan before making the move permanent. While he has consistently featured for Marseille, he has not always been a mainstay in the Argentinian national team, earning six caps since his debut in 2019.
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Balerdi, as the World Cup represents a major platform for players to enhance their reputations. Scaloni will be forced to reassess his defensive options ahead of the tournament, potentially opening the door for another player to seize the opportunity. The loss of Balerdi is a blow to Argentina’s squad depth as they aim to defend their title.
