local
Lionel Messi won't start Argentina's group finale, but World Cup scoring record holder could sub in
By STEPHEN HAWKINS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 27, 2026
· 1 min read
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lionel Messi, the top scorer in World Cup history, will not start when defending tournament champion and Group J winner Argentina plays Jordan on Saturday night in its last match before the knockout stage. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi's ...
Key takeaway Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi's 39th birthday, that the team's captain will [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
The news that Lionel Messi will not start in Argentina's group finale against Jordan may spark interest among Rio Grande Valley soccer fans, many of whom closely follow international competitions. As the McAllen -Edinburg-Mission metro area is home to a diverse population with strong ties to Latin American countries, the World Cup often generates significant local excitement. Messi's reputation as a skilled player has likely earned him fans in the area, and his potential to sub in during the match may still draw viewers to watch the game. The fact that the report comes from a Texas-based news outlet also adds a regional layer to the story, given that the match is being played in Arlington, Texas, just a few hours' drive from the Valley. Local soccer enthusiasts may be watching to see if Messi will make an appearance and potentially break more records.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lionel Messi, the top scorer in World Cup history, will not start when defending tournament champion and Group J winner Argentina plays Jordan on Saturday night in its last match before the knockout stage. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday, two days after Messi's ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by STEPHEN HAWKINS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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