Lionel Scaloni is finalizing his tactical setup for tonight’s pre-World Cup friendly against Honduras, with captain Lionel Messi not expected to feature in the starting lineup. Lionel Messi’s Argentina are putting the finishing touches on their tactical layout as they prepare to face Honduras in their first pre-World Cup warm-up match tonight at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
Navigating an incredibly complicated fitness landscape—further compounded by the devastating news that Leonardo Balerdi has been entirely ruled out of the tournament with a muscle tear—head coach Lionel Scaloni is beginning to finalize the lineup for tonight’s game.
While Messi successfully returned to partial squad training and has shaken off the worst of his recent hamstring issues, the coaching staff reportedly refuses to take any unnecessary risks. All signs point to the global icon being preserved on the bench tonight, with the realistic ceiling being a brief appearance to log a few low-intensity minutes.
The outlook is far more definitive for several other squad members who continue their isolated recovery programs and have been entirely ruled out for tonight’s clash. Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, and Nico Paz did not participate in any on-pitch tactical work.
🏆 #SelecciónMayor🗓️ Amistoso Internacional⚽ @Argentina 🇦🇷 🆚 #Honduras 🇭🇳🕐 21.00🏟️ Kyle Field📝 https://t.co/FrabKppReW📣 ¡Ya palpitamos la #CopaMundial2026! ⭐⭐⭐ pic.twitter.com/yIUbyYOFjz— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) June 6, 2026
Similarly, Julian Alvarez and Leandro Paredes were held back from field drills. Meanwhile, starting goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez returned to training exercises but worked without gloves due to a fracture in one of his fingers.
Fortunately, Scaloni faces zero selection headaches in the center of the park. The trusted engine room of Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister is locked in to dictate the tempo, with the highly creative Thiago Almada expected to join them.
Argentina’s potential starting XI
With Martinez being carefully managed, Scaloni has confirmed that Juan Musso will guard the net tonight against the Hondurans. The primary tactical puzzle lies on the right side of the defense; with both primary right-backs Molina and Montiel completely unavailable, the coaching staff spent the final training sessions rotating Nicolas Capaldo and Agustin Giay with the starting unit.
The second major question mark sits in the attacking frontline. Throughout the early portion of the week, the staff heavily drilled Giuliano Simeone alongside Lautaro Martinez. However, over the last 24 hours, momentum has surged behind the presence of Jose Manuel Lopez, who could get the nod to partner the Inter Milan captain up top.
Argentina’s predicted starting lineup: Juan Musso; Nicolas Capaldo (or Agustin Giay), Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada; Lautaro Martinez, and Giuliano Simeone (or Jose Manuel Lopez).