The Argentina national team announced on Thursday that defender Marcos Senesi will take the place of the injured Leonardo Balerdi on their 26-player roster for the World Cup.
Senesi is expected to join La Albiceleste at their base in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of their opening match on June 16 against Algeria.
Balerdi will not participate in the tournament due to a muscle injury affecting his right leg.
The Argentina national team’s social media confirmed, “Defender Leonardo Balerdi has suffered a muscle injury in the soleus of his right leg and will be unable to participate in the World Cup. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Balerdi!”
Manager Lionel Scaloni assessed the team’s performance during their friendly match against Iceland to finalize Balerdi’s replacement.
“Today’s test gave me clarity on what the team may be missing… I might take an additional day or two before announcing Balerdi’s replacement,” Scaloni stated on Tuesday.
Senesi now joins the squad to compete against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in World Cup Group J.
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Senesi first received a call-up to the Argentina national team in anticipation of the 2022 Finalissima. During the same international window, he was also approached by Italy, which Argentina defeated at Wembley.
Of Italian descent, Senesi had the option to represent the Azzurri but chose to play for Argentina on the international stage.
He made his debut shortly after in a friendly against Estonia and has participated in more matches since, although none were competitive.
Senesi played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Venezuela on October 10 last year, with his latest appearance occurring against Mauritania at La Bombonera on March 27.
Recent developments for Senesi have been rapid. On Wednesday, it was confirmed that he will be joining Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer after his contract with Bournemouth concludes on July 1. He will join Cristian Romero as one of the Argentinian players representing Spurs in this World Cup.