Argentina confirmed on Thursday that defender Marcos Senesi has been added to the squad for the 2026 World Cup as a replacement for Leonardo Balerdi, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a muscle injury.
In a statement posted on social media, the Albiceleste announced that the defender – who signed for English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week – will be included in the final 26-man squad for the World Cup.
Balerdi suffered a muscle tear during one of the team's final training sessions, leaving him unable to take part in the tournament, according to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), which reported the injury last week.
The announcement puts an end to widespread speculation that midfielders Guido Rodríguez of Valencia and Máximo Perrone of Como were the leading candidates to fill the vacant place in the squad.
Senesi is coming off an impressive Premier League season with Bournemouth and is widely regarded as one of Argentina's best-performing defenders currently playing in Europe.
The former San Lorenzo centre-back was unveiled as a new Spurs player on Wednesday.
The world champions' defensive options now include Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Tagliafico, Facundo Medina and Senesi himself.
Argentina will begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium at 01:00 GMT on 17 June.
– TIMES/AFP
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