Argentina centre-back Leonardo Balerdi out of World Cup

The 27-year-old has suffered a muscle injury in his right leg and will miss the World Cup, the Argentine federation announced on social media, wishing the player a speedy recovery.

07 Jun 2026 02:49am
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 31: Leonardo Balderi (left) and Jose Manuel Lopez (right) of Argentina arrive for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Kansas City International Airport on May 31, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 31: Leonardo Balderi (left) and Jose Manuel Lopez (right) of Argentina arrive for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Kansas City International Airport on May 31, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

PARIS, France - Argentina and Marseille central defender Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a calf injury, the world champions announced on Saturday.

 

The 27-year-old has suffered a muscle injury in his right leg and will miss the World Cup, the Argentine federation announced on social media, wishing the player a speedy recovery.

Balerdi, who had hoped to play in his first World Cup, posted a photo of himself training with the squad in Kansas City on social media on Friday.

Argentina have not yet named a replacement.

Argentina face Honduras late on Saturday in a warm-up match in College Station, Texas.

They will kick off their tournament on June 17 against Algeria in Kansas City. - AFP 

 

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