Scaloni Closing in on a Decision
Lionel Scaloni is expected to announce his decision within the next 48 hours on who will replace the injured Leonardo Balerdi in Argentina 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. And according to sources close to the Argentina camp, Guido Rodriguez has emerged as the leading candidate to fill the vacancy, staging a remarkable comeback to international contention after nearly two years out of the national team setup.
The 32-year-old Valencia midfielder, who was a key figure in Argentina run to the 2022 World Cup title and their subsequent Copa America triumphs, has not played for La Albiceleste since June 2024. However, his outstanding form since joining Valencia on loan from West Ham United in January has forced Scaloni and his coaching staff to take a serious second look.
A Resurgent Season in La Liga
Rodriguez transformation at Valencia has been nothing short of remarkable. After struggling for game time at West Ham in the first half of the season, the defensive midfielder moved to Mestalla in January and became an instant fixture in the starting eleven. He played the full 90 minutes in 13 of his 17 appearances, contributing four goals including a memorable double against Celta Vigo and strikes against Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
His passing accuracy of 87 per cent and his ability to break up opposition attacks made him a crucial figure as Valencia climbed away from relegation trouble to finish ninth in La Liga. The turnaround at the club coincided with Rodriguez presence in the side, and his performances did not go unnoticed by the Argentina coaching staff, who have been monitoring his progress closely.
Tactical Considerations
The decision to favour Rodriguez reflects a specific tactical assessment by Scaloni. With Leandro Paredes still recovering from a hamstring injury and not yet fully fit, Argentina lack a pure defensive midfielder in the squad. The other midfielders available, including Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso, and Alexis Mac Allister, are all more box-to-box or creative profiles.
Rodriguez would provide the defensive screen that allows Argentina attacking talents to flourish, a role he performed expertly during the 2022 World Cup campaign. His ability to also drop into the defensive line if needed adds versatility that Scaloni values highly in tournament football, where squad depth is tested across multiple matches in quick succession.
The Alternative: Agustin Giay
The alternative option remains Agustin Giay, the 22-year-old Palmeiras defender who featured in both of Argentina recent friendlies against Iceland. Giay versatile profile, capable of playing as a right-sided stopper or full-back, appeals to Scaloni, but his limited experience at senior international level counts against him. With Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel both available at right-back, the need for an additional defender is less acute than the need for midfield balance.
What This Means for Argentina
If Rodriguez is called up, it would be a heartwarming story of resilience and redemption. A player who looked to have played his last game for Argentina less than a year ago has fought his way back into contention through sheer weight of performances at club level. His presence in the squad would give Scaloni a proven tournament winner who knows the system intimately and can be trusted in high-pressure moments.
Argentina enter the World Cup as defending champions, carrying the weight of expectation that comes with that status. Having a battle-hardened, tactically disciplined midfielder like Rodriguez in the squad could prove decisive in the tight matches that define knockout football. The final decision will come from Scaloni in Kansas, and all signs point to Guido Rodriguez getting the call.
