Senesi called up as Argentina lose Balerdi before World Cup

Balerdi out, Senesi in, a late defensive switch

Lionel Scaloni has been forced into a last-minute defensive change. Leonardo Balerdi is injured and will miss the World Cup. Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi has been called up as his replacement (1) (4).

The call came as an emotional moment for Senesi. A video shows him and his girlfriend, Kelci-Rose Bowers, reacting together when the news broke. "I am so, so proud of you," Bowers wrote. "Those who know you know how much you sacrifice. I hope you know how proud everyone around you is" (1) (2) (6).

Bowers is a footballer herself, the two met at the same club (1). Senesi said later: "We prayed" (2).

Pick your XI: fans get a say before the opener

Olé has launched an interactive tool letting fans select their starting lineup for Argentina's World Cup debut. Go ahead, argue about who should start, the platform is live now (5).

Fan-reaktioner

A different kind of fan story is doing the rounds: Argentine supporters whose US tourist visas were rejected lined up in Buenos Aires to receive free televisions from an electronics brand, one day before the World Cup starts. Read the thread