The Argentina national team faces a significant setback as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup. During a training session, central defender Leonardo Balerdi of Marseille sustained a severe injury, leading him to leave the pitch early under medical assistance. Initial assessments from the medical staff suggest that the injury is serious.
This development is a personal tragedy for Balerdi, who is 27 years old and was on the cusp of realizing his dream of representing Argentina in the World Cup. Reports indicate that he is now highly likely to miss the 2026 tournament, as the severity of his injury leaves little chance for a timely recovery.
Throughout this season, Balerdi has made 36 appearances for Marseille across all competitions, contributing one goal and one assist to the team’s efforts. In a related development, Lionel Messi has returned to training with the Argentine national team.