The Argentine coaching staff has initiated a detailed evaluation of their reserve goalkeepers following a hand injury to undisputed number-one choice Emiliano Martínez. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, the medical team is closely supervising Martínez’s recovery timeline.
While team officials believe Martínez could still feature in the opening group match against Algeria, his physical readiness is not entirely assured. To mitigate this risk, head coach Lionel Scaloni will utilise two scheduled friendly fixtures against Honduras and Iceland to decide who will serve as the primary deputy, with Gerónimo Rulli and Juan Musso vying for the position.
Evaluation of Potential Deputies
Historical data and squad continuity suggest that Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli remains the leading candidate to fill any vacancy. The 34-year-old has made seven official senior appearances for Argentina, during which the national team remained undefeated and conceded a mere two goals. Rulli last started for his country in November 2024, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 World Cup qualifying victory against Peru.
Rulli also brings immense major tournament familiarity to the squad, having been a member of the title-winning campaigns at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima, and the 2024 Copa América. On a domestic level, he completed 39 appearances for Marseille last season, conceding 52 goals across all competitions as his team finished fifth in French Ligue 1.
Juan Musso, by contrast, challenges for the position based on recent competitive momentum with Atlético Madrid. Although he spent the majority of the domestic season as a backup, an injury to standard starter Jan Oblak thrust Musso into the line-up during the critical final months of the season.
Musso responded with a series of influential displays, playing a central role in Atlético Madrid’s progression to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Throughout 2026, he accumulated 12 club appearances and was frequently cited as his team’s outstanding player. His international experience, however, is less extensive, yielding three appearances and zero goals conceded across his senior career.
Profile of Alternate Goalkeeping Statistics
| Goalkeeper | National Caps | Club Side (2025/26) | Key International Milestones |
| Gerónimo Rulli | 7 | Marseille (France) | Unbeaten in 7 games; Member of three major title-winning squads. |
| Juan Musso | 3 | Atlético Madrid (Spain) | 23 mins vs Morocco (2019); 90 mins vs Bolivia (2021); 16 mins vs Zambia (2026). |
Selection Timeline Ahead of the World Cup
The upcoming friendlies will offer clarity regarding Scaloni’s tactical preferences. Argentina are scheduled to play Honduras on 6 June, followed by a final warm-up match against Iceland on 9 June.
While Rulli offers institutional experience and a proven track record under pressure, Musso’s recent performances in elite European club competition make the selection highly competitive. Management has reconfirmed that Martínez retains his status as the preferred starter, but these fixtures ensure that Argentina possesses two prepared options should a change be required.