Overview
- Argentina made deliberate selection changes for the final by benching Lautaro Martínez, Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Otamendi to prioritise pressing, speed and defensive mobility.
- Julián Álvarez started alongside Lionel Messi while Lisandro Martínez partnered Cristian Romero in central defence under Scaloni's opponent‑specific game plan.
- Martínez went down with a muscular‑type complaint and was substituted in the 44th minute for Nicolás Otamendi during the first half of the final on Sunday, with broadcasters and eyewitnesses reporting an emotional exit.
- No formal medical bulletin had been released by Argentina or Manchester United at the time of reporting and both media and the club were awaiting an official update on the injury's severity.
- Martínez's recent ACL rupture in February 2025 and recurring muscle problems make this injury consequential for Argentina's match management and for Manchester United's pre‑season plans, with potential implications for selection and transfer decisions.