Scaloni's choice: Who is Marcos Senesi, the number 2 of the National Team in the 2026 World Cup

When it seemed he was lagging behind in Lionel Scaloni’s consideration, Marcos Senesi ended up among those chosen to represent the Argentine National Team in the 2026 World Cup. The defender from San Lorenzo is going through the best moment of his career after standing out in the Premier League and making an important leap to Tottenham. In this case, he was the number 2 who was fouled for a penalty in the match against Jordan.

After the victory against Iceland, Scaloni himself had publicly stated that he would take a few more hours than planned to inform the last called-up player. Although speculation pointed to the possible inclusion of Guido Rodríguez, the coach was satisfied with the performance in the last friendly and opted to reinforce the central area of the defense with a player who can contribute physicality and technique.

Senesi’s call-up to the Argentine National Team for the 2026 World Cup represents the reward for a career built step by step. Born in Concordia, Entre Ríos, the defender began his football journey in the youth divisions of San Lorenzo. There he completed all his training until making his debut in the First Division in September 2016.

His growth was constant. With good performances in the blue-and-red team, he became one of the great defensive promises of Argentine football and quickly attracted interest from several European clubs. In 2019, the opportunity to emigrate came, as Feyenoord of the Netherlands paid 7 million euros for his transfer and began a fundamental stage for his professional development.

The experience in Dutch football, where he played 116 official matches, was decisive for Senesi’s growth. Since his arrival in Rotterdam, he became an important piece of the team and participated in international competitions during the three seasons he remained at the club.

One of the most notable moments occurred in 2022, when Feyenoord reached the final of the first edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Senesi was a protagonist throughout the campaign and played practically all the matches of the tournament. His ability to play out from the back, his personality to lead the defense, and his strength in individual duels caught the attention of teams from the main European leagues.

That same 2022, the leap to England came to wear the Bournemouth shirt, which paid 15 million euros for his transfer. Far from suffering from the change in level, the Argentine quickly consolidated himself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

For four seasons, he was one of the defensive references of the English team and had a decisive influence on the sporting growth of the institution. His last campaign was especially outstanding: he surpassed 2,300 completed passes in the Premier League and led several statistics among the central defenders of the championship.

In addition, he ranked among the best players in the tournament in interceptions, clearances, and blocks, demonstrating an unusual combination of technical quality and defensive solidity. His contribution was not limited to the defensive aspect. He was also one of the central defenders with the greatest offensive involvement and ranks among the leaders in assists in his position. Thanks to that performance, Bournemouth qualified for European competitions for the first time in its history.

Senesi’s great season did not go unnoticed in England. After finishing his contract with Bournemouth, the defender agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur, where he will share the squad with Cristian Romero.

The arrival at one of the most important clubs in the Premier League represents the most important challenge of his career and a huge opportunity to definitively consolidate himself in the elite of European football. Furthermore, sharing a dressing room with Cuti Romero could strengthen a defensive partnership that Lionel Scaloni is watching closely for the future of the Argentine National Team.

Senesi’s story with the Argentine National Team began several years ago. Although Italy tried to convince him to represent the Azzurri thanks to his family roots, the defender always had his decision clear: to wait for an opportunity with the Albiceleste.

That call came in 2022 when Scaloni summoned him to play the Finalissima against Italy. Since then, he has been closely followed by the coaching staff and continued to appear on various lists until he definitively earned a place among those chosen for the 2026 World Cup.

At the beginning of the year, when his presence was still uncertain, he had publicly expressed his desire to play in the World Cup. «Playing in a World Cup is a dream I’ve had since I was a child. I know it’s close and I would love to fulfill it,» he had acknowledged. Months later, that dream became a reality.

Off the pitch, Senesi is also going through a great personal moment. Since 2024, he has been in a relationship with English footballer Kelci-Rose Bowers, a midfielder for the Bournemouth women’s team. The couple met during a photo shoot organized by the club to present the new kit and quickly began a story that they later made public on social media.

Bowers trained in the youth categories of Chelsea and also represented England at youth levels before developing her career in American college football and later returning to the United Kingdom. Currently, both share their lives between professional football and the new challenges that this stage presents.

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