New Tottenham Hotspur signing Marcos Senesi completed a whirlwind 24 hours when he received a late call-up to Argentina’s World Cup squad for 2026, replacing the injured Leonardo Balerdi and instantly becoming part of Lionel Scaloni’s plans to defend the title. The 29-year-old central defender had only just been confirmed as a Spurs player on a free transfer from Bournemouth, where his contract expired this summer, and was vacationing in Ibiza with his partner Kelci Bowers when the call from the Argentina camp came through. Video captured by Bowers showed the couple, still dressed up and ready to go out, reacting with screams and hugs as Senesi ended the phone call and realized his World Cup dream had come true. Bowers explained that neither had been able to relax during their holiday because they were aware of Balerdi’s injury situation and the possibility of a late summons, saying they had been praying every day for the opportunity.
Senesi’s inclusion caps a remarkable season for the left-footed defender, who made 39 appearances across all competitions for Bournemouth in 2025-26, the joint-most among the club’s outfield players, and completed more passes than any other Cherry as Andoni Iraola’s side secured a sixth-place Premier League finish and qualified for European competition for the first time in club history. Despite that achievement, Senesi turned down a new contract on the south coast and opted for Tottenham, where he will join Cristian Romero in the Premier League and add depth to Roberto De Zerbi’s back line ahead of a campaign in which Spurs will look to improve on last season’s 17th-place finish. His move was completed quickly, with a medical in Ibiza, and he had been training three to four times a week with a physiotherapist and fitness coach during his break to stay ready in case Argentina needed him.
The Argentina Football Association announced on Thursday, June 12, 2026, that Marseille defender Balerdi had been withdrawn from the 26-man squad after suffering a muscle injury to the soleus in his right leg. Scaloni had delayed naming a replacement until after Tuesday’s friendly against Iceland, stating the test cleared up doubts about what the team needed. Senesi, who has three senior caps since debuting for Argentina in 2022 and previously rejected a call-up from Italy despite being eligible, was officially added to the roster and will link up with _La Albiceleste_ at their World Cup base in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina, drawn in Group J, open their title defense against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, before facing Austria on June 22 and Jordan later in the group stage.
For Senesi, the call-up represents validation of his decision to maintain peak physical preparation during the offseason and a chance to contribute to a defense that already features Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Facundo Medina. His ball-playing ability and experience in the Premier League make him a ready-made option for Scaloni if required, and his late arrival to the squad means Tottenham will now have to wait to integrate him into pre-season training depending on how far Argentina progress. The defender arrives with momentum from Bournemouth’s historic campaign and now has the opportunity to add a World Cup to his résumé while beginning a new chapter in North London.
